Disinfection behavior tracking and ranking

ABSTRACT

A low dose disinfection and control system that utilizes empirical and theoretical data to compare performance, sensor data, stored patterns, historical usage, use intensity indexes over time and tracking information to provide a sophisticated data collection system for disinfection. The data can be used to dynamically control UV treatment parameters. This tracking is designed to enable a learning and feedback tool that helps to modify behavior and the understanding of infection. The present invention provides a system for integrating UV treatment into products. The product may include an outer layer of UV transmissive material forming an external touch surface. The UV disinfection system includes a UV source internal to the product. In use, the internal UV source produces UV-C light that passes into and permeates the outer layer to treat the touch surface. A UV reflective layer may be disposed beneath the outer layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to disinfection, and more particularly tosystems and methods associated with disinfection.

It is well known that hospital acquired infections continue to present asignificant health risk. A variety of efforts have been made to reducethe risks presented by hospital acquired infections. For example, thereis increasing interest in performing germicidal activities in a hospitalenvironment. This includes the growing use of UV disinfection systems toperform repeated disinfection of a wide range of objects. There arecurrently a number of different types of UV disinfection productsavailable on the commercial market. Many conventional UV disinfectionproducts suffer from a variety of shortcomings. For example, UV energyhas a tendency to degrade plastics and other materials. As a result,conventional UV disinfection treatment regimens may have the unintendedconsequence of causing excessive undesirable damage to objects in andaround the treatment ranges.

There has been dramatic growth in the use of networks to collect datarelating to a range of activities in and around hospitals and othermedical environments. Although some of these systems are alreadygathering data relating to personnel, asset tracking, EMR's (ElectronicMedical Records) and patient health, these workflows have not beencombined to understand the path of infection.

Some known issues with present systems includes the limitation of notconnecting the data from multiple workflows, understanding the hightouch areas and the infection impact and understanding how to create adevice that can be connected to all of these areas of impact and have animpact.

Another issue with the present treatment and monitoring is to create asecure network that is secure enough to use for electronic medicalrecords.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the prevent invention provides a low-dose method oftreating surfaces in which the UV intensity and exposure time of a UVtreatment device are uniquely adjusted based on an initial calibrationusing a UV intensity meter. The lower minimal dose rate is compensatedwith the cycle times to provide that same effect as overdosing but withbetter results in surface breakdown. Providing the lower doses does notbreak down the plastics in the same way that higher dosages do. The lowdose is generally safer for users' eyes and other forms of humancontact. Low dose is defined in user environments. Terminal cleaningrobots have a stipulation of not allowing operation if users present, asthey will receive more than the allowed dosage as required by NIOSHCDC—National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. In defininglow dose we are measuring reflected and direct light for eye and skinexposure requirements. We are treating surfaces in ways that we protectusers by first having the lowest allowable dose within the allowableexposure limits. We track both the proximity exposures to accumulatedose allowances over time. UV-C radiation has a short wavelength andcontains more energy than UV-A- and UV-B radiation. It includes thegreater part of the entire UV range and has a strong germicidal effectin the range of 254 nm. Like the visible wavelength of light, UV-Cradiation radiates directly and loses its intensity in proportion to thedistance from the source. UV-C radiation in lower dosages does notpenetrate cloth or window glass. In the case of a higher radiationdosage, UV-C radiation causes red skin (erythms) and painful eyeinfection (conjunctivitis) to humans. This is why the threshold value of6 mJ/cm², and/or 60 J/m² daily radiation dosage respectively, isrecommended by the EU (EU Directive 2006-25-EC) (with 254 nm), whichshould not be exceeded. Sufficient lock outs and proximity detectioninterlocks can provide additional protections.

In one embodiment, the UV treatment device may include a disinfectioncontrol system that adjusts the UV treatment parameters to provideadequate disinfection despite interruptions in UV treatment cycles. Forexample, the UV treatment parameters of cycle time and/or UV lightintensity may be varied as needed to provide the desired level of UVexposure. In one embodiment, the UV light cycle time and/or the UV lightintensity is increased to compensate for interruptions. The system maytrack a plurality of factors relating to UV treatment and analyze thosefactors to make dynamic adjustments to the UV treatment parameters overtime. The algorithm adjustment parameters are driven by several keyaspects of the design and interaction. The first aspect is the intervalof interaction and disinfection. Experience has revealed that, generallyspeaking, the more sick a patient is the more interactions are required.This may include an increased number of interactions with hospitalpersonnel and medical equipment, as well as an increase in the length ofinteractions. Higher interaction frequency and/or durations requiredmore disinfection cycles with shorter opportunities between touches. Itis in these times where the probability for infection becomesstatistically greater. One misstep in procedure can lead to infectionspread. Typically a UV disinfection system would be designed to delivermaximum dose and intensity all the time. This approach is also limitingin multiple ways as the intensity is directly proportional to UV life,material degradation and OSHA human exposure rates. The algorithmdescribed here utilizes the interval times to calculate average timebetween touches and may adjust to a higher power during cycles that arenot of sufficient duration to allow a complete cycle at a normalintensity level. Any cycle time can be interrupted when the user reachesback into the treatment area. The system may also track theinterruptions and the iteration timing of those interruptions, such astouches, to build a rolling average. The system may then adjust to thatdose time and power for that time period. If the required dose time isless than the opportunity period, the power level is stepped up for thatseries of cycles. It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the systemmay have several classifications of cycles. A first cycle classificationmay be a touch or primary cycle. This is in direct response to a touchor contamination. A second cycle classification may be a secondary cyclethat is assistive to help sterilize the area by hitting that surfacewith additional cycles. A third cycle classification may be one or moreprotocol cycles that are initiated based on interaction with terminalcleaning equipment or initiated by the understanding of cyclicinfections, direct understanding of an outbreak or a deep cleaningcycle. In one embodiment, increasing UV light intensity, for example, byincreasing power supplied to light source, are used sparingly as theOSHA safety limits and the UV life accumulators are affectedaccordingly. If the system gets above a preset level of interruptionsand incomplete cycles this information may be sent to servers foranalysis and reporting. This indicates an opportunity statistically forinfection spread. Life and exposure per day are two separateaccumulators in non-volatile memory. These accumulator registers may, insome embodiments, have back up registers as this information isimportant and there is a need to avoid corruption. The exposureaccumulator tracks daily exposure and reports that information to thenetwork server(s), for example, via the cloud. This information allowsthe hospital to report to OSHA the requirement for employee safetyrequirements. The UV source life accumulator accounts for the hours ofon time, the UV source cycles and the extended power cycles at a 50%premium to UV source life. However, the premium higher intensities havea higher impact on UV source life so that number was chosen based oncycles and time tested.

In one embodiment, the UV treatment device is installed adjacent to thesurface to be treated and then calibration is performed to ensure thatthe UV treatment parameter are accurate for that particular arrangement.The calibration measurements provide actual UV intensity measurementsimmediately adjacent the surface to be treated, and these measurementsare used to adjust the UV intensity and/or exposure time, for example,in accordance with the algorithm provided above. The measuredcalibration number is stored in a non-volatile register and is set atinstallation by communicating to a custom calibration tool. Once setthat system has the details for that surface, distance and measured doseand can reference that number for treating and reporting about thatsurface and employee exposure accordingly.

In one embodiment, the UV treatment device may include a control systemthat increases contact time and/or power supplied to the UV lamp tocompensate for decrease in UV intensity output resulting fromdegradation of the UV lamp over time. For example, the control systemmay adjust the amount of power supplied to the UV lamp and/or the amountof time the UV lamp as a function of the frequency, length anddistribution of touches or other interactions that interrupt the UVtreatment cycle. For example, the system may determine the appropriateUV treatment parameters by selecting a cycle UV intensity value that islow enough to minimize UV exposure risks and reduce UV degradation, anda cycle duration that is sufficient to provide adequate UV treatment atthe selected cycle intensity. During use, the system monitors a numberof real life parameters, such as number of attempted treatment cycles,complete treatment cycles, interruptions to treatment cycles, durationof partial cycles, as well as the frequency, length and distribution oftreatment cycles. The system analyzes the collected data and dynamicallyadjusts the UV treatment parameters to compensate for actual measureddata. For example, the system may increase cycle duration, cycleintensity or make adjusts to the cycle frequency or cycle distribution.Calibration values from the most intense under the UV source and theouter reach of the treated surface are stored in non-volatile memory.The intensity change is allowed to change as long as it is allowable forthe UV source and also meets the exposure criteria for OSHA eye andskin. In one example of where there is a need to adjust intensity whenseeing short touch iterations, intensity is adjusted upwardly to enableproper dosage within the target iteration time. In one embodiment, theintensity was adjusted to 134% of the design intensity when the targettouch iteration interval is optimally accounted for with dose. Wemanaged the proper exposure limit within a safety margin (20%) to allowthe maximum dose while protecting the user. Although this exampleincludes a safety margin of 20%, the safety margin may vary fromapplication to application, as desired. The surface is accounted forwith the two intensity measurements allowing the system to understandthe lowest dose area and maximum dose areas. The boost criteria can bevariable or set for a preset value or percentage. The ratio is thendynamic based on the interval rates where 0 time between touches cannotbe treated or disinfected. These times when the disinfection cycle isincomplete this information of incomplete cycles is accumulated andstored in non-volatile memory. The information it then uploaded to thecloud for reporting.

In one embodiment, the contact time and/or power (e.g. magnitude or dutycycle) supplied to the UV lamp may be increased progressively over timeas desired to cause the UV treatment to remain substantially equivalentover the life of the UV lamp. In one embodiment, the contact time isincreased until actual use data indicates that the frequency of use ofthe device does not, on average, provide sufficient time between uses toallow proper UV treatment. Once that point is reached, the controlsystem may begin to increase the power supplied to the UV lamp so thatthe intensity of the UV lamp is increased to compensate for UV lampdegradation. The control system may be included with a maximum poweroutput to the UV lamp to prevent UV lamp output from exceeding athreshold selected for user safety and/or UV lamp protection. The OSHAand ICNRP guidelines for electromagnetic radiation are listed below. Theradiant exposure on unprotected eyes and skin within any 8 hour periodfor a wavelength of 200 to 315 nm is limited to values which depend onthe wavelength of the radiation. For a broad band UV source theeffective irradiance may be measured or calculated and the maximumpermissible exposure determined from the table below. However, thesystem may be adapted to implement other exposure limitations.

Effective Maximum Irradiance Permissible Exposure (Wm-2) in an 8 hourperiod  0.001 8 hours  0.008 1 hour  0.05 10 minutes  0.5 1 minute  3 10seconds  30 1 Second 300 0.1 Second

The main reason to limit UV source intensity and time is to assure thatthe safety limits are well below the standards for employee exposurewhile also increasing the UV source life and lessening the UV sourcemaintenance periods. In one embodiment, a similar algorithm may beimplemented to compensate for actual UV intensity measurements takenduring calibration. For example, the control system may be configured tofirst increase contact time if calibration measurements indicate that UVintensity is lower than the standard. The increase is selected tocompensate for the reduction in UV treatment caused by the lower UVintensity. If the control system determines that there is not likely tobe sufficient time between uses to allow an increase in contact time tocompensate for the decrease in UV intensity, the control system mayadditionally or alternatively increase the power supplied to the UVlamp, thereby increasing the intensity of the UV lamp.

The table below indicates a typical cycle time and interval for asystem. The interruption rate indicates the typical percentage when thecycle cannot be shortened to meet dose. It also shows the exposureconcerns and timing for the interruptions when the time of the exposureis accumulated.

UVC exposure calculation Metric 6-min cycle/90-s delay Average dailycycles initiated  83.51 cycles Average cycle interruption rate, %  54.64Average daily interruptions  45.63 cycles Average interruptions per 8-hperiod  15.21 cycles Maximum UVC exposure per interruption, s  1 AverageUVC exposure per 8-h period, s  15.21 NIOSH UVC (60 μW/cm²) limit per8-h 100 period, s Percent of NIOSH limit  15.21% of NIOSH limit NIOSH,National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; UVC,ultraviolet-C.

In another aspect, an item to be treated is manufactured with atouchable surface having a UV reflective substrate layer and a UVtransmissive over-layer. The over-layer has an exposed exterior surfacethat forms a touchable surface of the item. A UV light may be positionedadjacent to the UV transmissive over-layer so that UV light istransmitted into and travels along the over-layer progressively exitingover the exterior surface of the over-layer to treat the exteriorsurface. The reflective layer resists penetration of the UV light intosubstrate which not only protects the substrate from UV degradation, butalso reflects that UV light back into the UV transmissive over-layerwhere it can contribute to UV treatment of the exterior surface. The UVtransmissive over-layer facilitates transmission of the UV light alongthe over-layer with UV light exiting through the exterior surface. TheUV transmissive over-layer may be configured to provide generallyuniform escape of UV light and therefore provide generally uniformtreatment of the exterior surface. For example, the thickness of theover-layer may diminish away from the UV light source and/or theover-layer may be textured to provide controlled escape of UV light.

In one embodiment, the item to be treated includes a thermoplasticsubstrate with reflective particles as a reflector material and a Teflonover-layer as a light-pipe to transmit UV-C 254 nm light over thattouchable surface. The over-layer can be provided with UV light by thedisinfection control system. The control system may operate the UV lightbased in part on contact with the exterior surface. For example, thedisinfection system may use capacitive, PIR, contacts or other methodsto detect touch on that surface, and use that touch information todetermine when to apply a UV treatment and what parameters to use duringtreatments (e.g. UV exposure time and UV light intensity parameters).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method forcontrolling the UV disinfection parameters of a UV disinfection systemintegrated into an item to be treated. In one embodiment, the methodincludes the step of measuring UV light intensity at a location on thesurface of the item and adjusting the UV light intensity or exposuretime to adjust for the specific transmissivity characteristics of theitem. For example, when the item includes a substrate with lowerreflectivity or an over-layer with lower transmissivity, the controlsystem of the integrated UV treatment system may increase the powersupplied to the UV lamp or increase the exposure times to compensate forthe loss. It should be noted that the UV disinfection system may treatoverall around 3-6 hours of around 6 minute low dose UV treatments perday. This accumulated dose provides a higher log reduction ofdisinfection and can be tuned by required cycles over a period to getthe log reduction required by health agencies for specific pathogens.

In one embodiment, a disinfection control system with a combination ofreflective and transmissive layers is integrated into a glove box, avitals monitor, a bed rail, a table grab rail, door and cabinet pullsand an elevator buttons, as well as other items to be treated. In eachof these implementations, exterior surface that will be touched by aperson will include a UV transmissive over-layer disposed over a UVreflective substrate or under-layer.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method ofconstruction for keyboards and touch displays that utilize the switchesand the disinfection control system to enable low dose disinfection on adisplay or keyboard. In the context of a keyboard, the keyboard mayinclude a printed circuit board that supports a plurality of push buttonswitches, a plurality of UV reflective keys that are individuallymounted to the push button switches and a UV transmissive overlay thatcovers the UV reflective keys. The keyboard also includes UVdisinfection system that include control system and a UV light source.The UV light source is positioned adjacent to the UV transmissiveoverlay so that, when illuminated by the control system, UV light istransmitted into the overlay. If desired, the UV light source may bepositioned behind a louver that directs the UV light into the overlayand shields it from the eyes of nearby individuals. The louver may be anintegral part of the keyboard housing. In the context of a touch displaykiosk, the kiosk may include a touch display contained within a kioskenclosure. The touch display may be covered by a UV reflective film anda UV transmissive overlay. The kiosk also includes a UV disinfectionsystem that includes a control system and a pair of UV light sources.The UV light sources are positioned adjacent to the UV transmissiveoverlay so that, when illuminated by the control system, UV light istransmitted into the overlay from opposed sides. If desired, the UVlight source may be positioned behind a louver that directs the UV lightinto the overlay and shields it from the eyes of nearby individuals. Thelouver may be an integral part of the kiosk enclosure.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a design and method toproduce a mouse and/or keyboard using low dose UV-C that enable longlife plastics with high chemical resistance. The PFA with a UV-C lampthat travels along the treated surfaces combined with the low dosemethod enables a solution that would typically self destruct overexposure. This system not only teaches how to disinfect a mouse butenables a system to enables the long life expected in the consumerelectronics market.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a disinfection networkwith secure communications. This network can track assets and otheritems relating to disinfection probabilities and statistics for processfeedback and control as well as driving training feedback. This networkutilizes several layers of data to track hand washing compliance anddisinfection compliance and control. In one embodiment, the systemincludes at least one server, a plurality of hubs capable ofcommunicating with the server and a plurality of assets capable ofcommunicating with the hubs. In one embodiment, a variety of assets tobe tracked are provided with electronic communication capabilities. Thismay include equipment (e.g. mobile equipment and immobile equipment) andindividuals (e.g. doctors, nurses, hospital staff and visitors). In oneembodiment, each room (or separate region for which separate tracking isdesired) includes a hub that is capable of communicating with both theassets and the server. The hub may collect and process data and/or itmay function as a relay for routing communications between the serverand the assets. In use, the hubs may communicate with each assets thatis present (permanently or temporarily) to understand its UVtreatment-related information, such as UV treatment activity and UV lamplife, and to track movement of that asset within the facilities. Forexample, the hub may collect information that allows the network tounderstand and control UV treatment activities of those assets that haveintegrated UV treatment capabilities. The hubs may also log when anasset enters a location and when it leaves. Asset location informationmay be transmitted to the server. The hubs may also be capable ofcommunicating information to the assets, for example, to change the UVtreatment parameters of a device (e.g. extend UV contact time orincrease UV intensity when a particular infection has occurred) orreduce treatment when a location is not in use (e.g. a patient room thatis unoccupied).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a contact interface oruser interface that can be integrated into assets to assist in informinga user when contact with an asset occurs. The contact interface isconfigured to provide feedback when a user makes undesired contact withan enabled device. In one embodiment, the contact interface isincorporated into an asset that includes an associated UV treatmentsystem that is configured to treat only a region of the asset intendedfor user contact. The contact interface is configured to sense when auser contacts the asset outside the user contact region. In response,the contact interface creates an alarm, such as tactile feed (e.g.haptic feedback), audible feedback, and/or visual feedback. In this way,the contact interface enables behavior change and immediate feedback.Additionally, the contact interface can initiate a supplementaltreatment process intended to provide UV or other treatment of the assetin view of the contact outside the user contact region where theintegrated UV treatment system is not capable of treating. In oneembodiment, the contact interface of the asset communicates theundesired contact to the server, for example, through the hub managingcommunications in the corresponding region. This includes accumulatorsfor the exposure incidents per 24 hours within our touch proximity andthe short duration of exposure when reaching in for a touch to build anaccumulated dosage per 24 hours per day of less than 60 mJ/cm2 forusers. It is assumed that the reaction between the sensor and the touchhappens within 1.2 seconds. This is a conservative average based onmeasurements and each touch is an accumulated dose. In one embodiment,the system may collect and maintain data indicative of accumulatedoverall dose for every touch within 24 hours. By connecting this datawith user ID's using the network interface, the system can report oneach individual dosage accumulations. The system tracks this accumulatedexposure data for safety and available dose adjustment reasons and theratio of compliance for safety and reporting. The available exposuredata may be used for calculating an upward intensity adjustment windowwithin safe limits with a safety ratio of 20%. Safety numbers onexposure by unit may be part of the scoring and proof of safetycompliance with each unit deployed to easily meet the 6 mJ/cm2 eyecontact thresholds and the 60 mJ/cm2 for skin exposure within a 24 hourperiod. Each touch event that occurs when a UV disinfection system isoperating results in UV exposure time of about 0.15 seconds per touch(e.g. the approximate amount of time required for the touch/proximitysensor to sense the event and turn off the UV source). With a knownexposure in uW/cm2, the system can accumulate this dosage over a periodof time. Some requirements are 8 hours and others are 24 hours. We canvalidate that the exposure was well below the exposure limits of 60mJ/cm2 for that device over that period of time and also calculate allthe devices used for an entire hospital or building for that period. The6 mJ/cm2 is a limit set for eye contact. The proximity area isconfigured to accommodate exposure levels that are barely measurable toassure very safe use and exposure to international standards.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for rankingand tracking disinfection based on exposure and probabilities oncontact. In this embodiment, the disinfection network collects touchesand other room details to provide dynamic and intelligent control overindividual assets in the disinfection network. The network may collectinfection data and compare with asset data collected by the network. Inone embodiment, the disinfection network may track the location ofinfections within a location or region, compare this information withasset movement data (e.g. individuals, medical equipment and othermobile objects) to determine potential opportunities for infection tospread to additional regions, and make desired adjustments to the UVtreatment parameters of UV treatment devices that might be within theregion of the infection or any region in which it had the potential tospread by virtue of asset movement. For example, if the networkdetermines that an asset, such as an IV pole or vitals monitor, wasexposed to an infection in a room, the network may direct the UVdisinfection system in that asset to perform an appropriate disinfectioncycle. Further, if the network determines through location data that anasset, such as an IV pole or vitals monitor, that was exposed to aninfection in one room is moved to a new room (or other new location),the network may cause the devices in that new room (or new location) toperform an appropriate disinfection cycle. If the new location is apatient room, the network may also maintain data concerning movement ofthe IV pole into that patient's room.

In one embodiment, the disinfection network may utilize hospitalworkflow data to enable additional information on personnel and patientstatus to inform and enable learning in order to control infections andprovide optimal disinfection. For example, the workflow data may provideadditional information of movement of individuals, such as doctors,nurses and other hospital staff, to understand and assess the potentialfor infection to spread through movement of individuals within theenvironment.

In one embodiment, the present invention may include a social mediasystem for recognizing patterns and behaviors that can push informationand messages based on conditions, events and patterns recognized insocial media content. This content management system can continuouslyevolve to enable better and better practices that will help to changedisinfection behavior and training. In one embodiment, the disinfectionsystem may search for and identify health related messages on socialmedia, including pre-existing social media platforms, such as Facebook.In one embodiment, the disinfection system may have a messagetransmission section that is capable of sending health and safetyrelated messages using a social media platform. Using web crawlers forregional news articles, Twitter firehose and Facebook API interfaces thesocial media system can watch and search for terms relating to health,disease types (flue, cold season, out breaks etc.) and accumulateincident rates. The occurrence frequency of these terms are compared toa running distribution of occurrence's over time of year and weatherconditions to build a predictive base. When these events increase as itrelates to the system's base data or elevate, the system can pushadditional health protocols and notifications forcing additionalcleanings based on the severity and type of the recorded event.Artificial intelligence learning algorithms assist in the statisticalprobabilities of location, weather, like temperature, humidity andtemperature degree days as a probability element of the statisticalreferences. These can be suggested events or automated with specificpreset protocols or timing based from historical hospital infectiondata. Combined this data informs the relevance of when theseprobabilities may increase or decrease. The timing may be based on timeof year where some of these are expected based on historical data.Severity of the response may be proportional to the severity of theoutbreak and increase the time and frequency of cleaning accordingly.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the descriptionof the current embodiment and the drawings.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the details ofoperation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodimentsand of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways notexpressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may beused in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwiseexpressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed aslimiting the invention to any specific order or number of components.Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from thescope of the invention any additional steps or components that might becombined with or into the enumerated steps or components. Any referenceto claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to includeany one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z,for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a table showing ATP testing results.

FIG. 1B illustrates a list of the top 11 areas tested in hospitalintensive care rooms relating to high touch bioloading areas ofinterest.

FIG. 2 illustrates areas that are touched frequently by staff and thepatient and that are opportunities for disinfection.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a secure disinfection network thatcommunicates to the glove box, the soap dispenser, the disinfectantdispenser, various equipment and then the hub accumulates the data andconnected to the cloud.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the network within a room and whatdevices could communicate to the hub.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the electronics of the disinfectioncontrol system. It includes communications, source UV and control, RFIDto track lamp EOL, control and drivers for a user feedback and hubfunctions that may be implemented when used as a hub.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system as depicted in FIG. 5 but with multiple UV-Csources and motion detection devices allowing one control and powersupply for multiple disinfection devices.

FIG. 7 illustrates a disinfection control system listening to theadvertising of electronic devices to track proximity by measuring signalstrength.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a low dose UV-C drive signal, the topcontrol shows the timed dose for continued dosing of the surface at aninterval. The bottom drive signals show adjusting lamp power tocompensate for faster touch intervals by increasing lamp power.

FIG. 9 illustrates low dose UV-C drive signal, the top control shows thetimed dose for continued dosing of the surface at an interval. Thebottom drive signals show adjusting contact time for faster intervals byincreasing contact time.

FIG. 10 illustrates a secure network communication using the crypto chipfor communications and programming security.

FIG. 11 illustrates a disinfection control language for communicatingdisinfection health and changing hand washing and disinfectionbehaviors.

FIG. 12A-C shows a how the disinfection language might be used in a grabrail. The diagram shows the color feedback and interaction.

FIG. 13A-C shows an example of a light switch solution with lightedcolors tactile and sound feedback.

FIG. 14 illustrates other surfaces with the light, tactile and soundfeedback.

FIG. 15 illustrates the timing sequence of the disinfection cyclefeedback.

FIG. 16 shows a diagram of a network system that has a secure networkand can be used for electronic medical record use.

FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of the crypto chip from Atmel thatenable secure programming and communications for IOT devices, it showsthe passage of the crypto key and how the security is handed off to thedevice.

FIG. 18 illustrates a process to push social data to the disinfectionnetwork for training and analytics feedback. When a person is notutilizing hand washing or misses steps in the disinfection process thisinformation is relayed to the user for instructional purposes.

FIG. 19A shows a combination of the workflows for the disinfectionprocess and system.

FIG. 19B is a table of workflow analysis by room type.

FIG. 20 shows the transmission of UV-C 254 nm through quartz.

FIG. 21 shows the UV-C transmission through Teflon through a 1 mm thicklayer.

FIG. 22 shows that UV-C 254 will not have transmission through commonclear plastics.

FIG. 23 shows that by using louvers and honeycomb substrates we canlimit user exposure of UV-C light in a disinfection control device.

FIG. 24 shows a device made of thermoplastic with metal particles forreflection and an outer layer of Teflon for light piping the UV-C lightaround that molded device.

FIG. 25 shows the construction of a keyboard with an outer layer ofmaterial that allows UV-C 254 nm transmission. The layer beneath thelight pipe has a reflective element and the construction enables a lampto light the outer surface layer for surface disinfection.

FIG. 26 shows the same keyboard used for a remote control keyboardenabling remote controls with surface disinfection.

FIG. 27 shows a tough keyboard where the surface disinfection is builtinto the display wherein the display has a quartz UV-C transmissionmaterial for surface disinfection.

FIG. 28 shows how the disinfection control system would be incorporatedinto a door knob.

FIG. 29 shows an elevator button with UV-C transmission and with thedisinfection language.

FIG. 30 shows a cart with a grab handle that is enabled with adisinfection control system that protects the grab area and teacheswhere a safe handling zone is and when to use it.

FIG. 31 shows the use of a disinfection control system in a cabinet withUV-C transmission door pulls that light-pipe the UV-C light to enablethe door pulls to be disinfected.

FIG. 32 shows a comparison of transmission over exposure to UV-C at agiven dose of 5500 uW/cm2. It is clear that the PFA material was morestable and had a better transmission percentage.

FIG. 33 shows a design of a mouse wherein the plastic parts are moldedin PFA allowing UV-C transmission to the surfaces of the mouse.

FIG. 34 shows an example of the mouse circuit board and lamp driverwherein the UV-C source is substantially located along the surfaces ofthe device to be disinfected. The roller is also molded in PFA to enableUV-C transmission and is properly disinfected.

FIG. 35 shows the assembly construction of a disinfection-enabled mouse.The upper housing is a one piece molded construction with a living hingeon both the left and right click buttons. The UV-C source is designed totraverse the whole inner PCBA. This provides enough dose to providesuitable disinfection. When the upper housing and lower housingsandwiches the PCBA with the UV-C source is makes a solid disinfectiondevice. The disinfection control system is then implemented within themouse control microprocessor to help reduce cost and simplify the designeven further.

FIG. 36 shows a keyboard wherein the UV-C source is located along therows of keys and the keys and keyboard surface is molded in PFA toenable UV-C transmission. The reflectors inserted into each key cap hasthe printed characters and also acts as a reflector. The design allowsboth treatment of surfaces above and below the keyboard surface.

FIG. 37 shows the layers of a disinfection enabled keyboard withstandard keys and keycaps. This system is then enabled by using anoverlay and PFA bezel to receive the UV-C source for disinfection. Thedisinfecting source extends along the row of keys. A lower intensitysource can be used over a larger surface when implemented this way. Thediameter of the UV-C lamp can be much thinner or the LEDs can be lowerintensity.

FIG. 38 shows an example of an edge lit kiosk with a disinfectioncontrol system. It should be noted that the edge of the quartz can bebent to accept light better for better piping and disinfection. The backside of the quartz can be coated for reflection but it is easier to coata film that can be placed between the layers for reflecting the UV lightout to the surface and have better optical properties.

FIG. 39 is a schematic representation of a disinfection device withshared communications and a multiple UV-C heads.

FIG. 40 is a schematic representation of an input device withcommunications and an internal UV disinfection system.

FIG. 41 is a schematic representation of a universal UV disinfectiondevice with communications and an external UV source used for externaldisinfection procedures.

FIG. 42 is a graph of calibrated dynamic time versus intensity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT A. Overview

The present invention relates to improvements associated with trackingand reducing the spread of infections, including without limitationsystems and methods for collecting data and other information that mightbe relevant to understanding and addressing infections, systems andmethods for implementing a disinfection language with instructive userinterface devices, systems and methods for providing improvedcalibration and control of UV disinfection systems, as well as a rangeof integrated, internal UV disinfection systems.

The first inventive aspect of this disclosure is the low dose method oftreating surfaces. The lower minimal dose rate is compensated withextended cycle times to provide that same effect as overdosing but withbetter results in surface breakdown. Providing the lower doses does notbreak down the plastics in the same way that higher dosages do. The lowdose is safer for users' eyes and contact.

The second inventive aspect of this disclosure is directed to integratedUV disinfection systems and may involve using a UV transmissive outerlayer that allows an internally disposed UV source to disinfect theouter layer. The device may include a thermoplastic substrate disposedbelow the outer layer with reflective particles as a reflector material.For example, a device may include a fluoropolymer, such asperfluoroalkoxy (“PFA”), over layer as a light-pipe to transmit UV-C 254nm light over that touchable surface. A DuPont Teflon can be used butsome good results have been with Daikin NEOFLON PFA AP201SH is acopolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkylvinylether. It is aperfluoropolymer consisting of only carbon atoms and fluorine atomswithout any hydrogen atom.

It has the same excellent performance as PTFE in a wide range fromextremely low to high temperatures. In addition, it has excellenttransparency, mechanical strength at high temperature. It can be moldedin the same molding method as general thermoplastic resins. PTFE is usedas a reflector material in conjunction with the UV-C light distributionmaterial like TEFLON and PFA. The light-pipe layer may be illuminateddriven by the disinfection control system and can use capacitive, PIR,contacts or other methods to detect touch on that surface. In someapplications, a device may include one or more lenses that allow UVlight to be transmitted on a plurality of surfaces to be treated. Thismay include internal or external illumination of surfaces. For example,a device may include a quartz lens used for projecting light externallyon a first surface and internally on a second surface. A quartz lens mayprovide some advantages when it is desirable to protect the lamp fromtouching or it is desirable to clean the assembly. An example would betreating the handles of a cart internally for touch treatment whileusing a quartz lens to treat a surface like a keyboard below with onelight source. The third inventive aspect of this disclosure involves adisinfection network with secure communications. This network can trackassets of items relating to disinfection probabilities and statisticsfor process feedback and control as well as driving training feedback.This network may utilize several layers of data to track interactions,hand washing compliance and disinfection compliance and control.

The fourth inventive aspect of this disclosure relates to a disinfectionlanguage and feedback system that provide a form of user interface thatenables behavior change and immediate feedback. This system utilizestactile feedback, audible feedback, visual feedback with colors and asocial feedback system and training application.

The fifth inventive aspect of this disclosure is the variousapplications for the disinfection control system including a glove box,vitals monitor bed rails, table grab rails, door and cabinet pulls,elevator buttons and more.

The sixth inventive aspect of this disclosure is a method ofconstruction for keyboards and touch displays that may utilize theswitches and the UV-C 254 disinfection control system to enable low dosedisinfection on a display or keyboard.

The seventh inventive aspect of this disclosure is method for rankingand tracking disinfection based on exposure and probabilities oncontact.

The eighth inventive aspect of this disclosure is utilizing hospitalworkflow to enable additional information on personnel and patientstatus to inform and enable learning in order to control infections andprovide optimal disinfection

The ninth inventive aspect of this disclosure is a social feedbacksystem for recognizing patterns and behaviors that can push informationand messages based on conditions, events and patterns. This contentmanagement system can continuously evolve to enable better and betterpractices that will help to change disinfection behavior and training.

The tenth inventive aspect of this disclosure is the design and methodto produce a mouse and keyboard using low dose UV-C that enable longlife plastics with high chemical resistance. The PFA with a UV-C lampthat travels along the treated surfaces combined with the low dosemethod enables a solution that would typically self-destruct as a resultof over-exposure to UV energy. This system not only teaches how todisinfect a mouse but enables a system to enables the long life expectedin the consumer electronics market.

The present invention is described in the context of various exemplarynetworks, devices, materials and constructions. It should be understoodthat the various aspects of the present invention are not limited toillustrative examples provided in this disclosure. Instead, the variousaspects of the invention can be implemented in a wide variety ofalternative embodiments as described in more detail below. Directionalterms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,”“lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used toassist in describing the invention based on the orientation of theembodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional termsshould not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specificorientation(s).

U.S. Pat. No. 9,242,018 B2 to Cole et al., which is entitled “PortableLight Fastening Assembly” and issued on Jan. 26, 2016; US PublicationNo. 2017/0296686 A1 to Cole, which is entitled “UV GERMICIDAL DEVICES,SYSTEMS, AND METHODS” and published Oct. 19, 2017; US Publication No.2015/0090903 A1 to Cole, which is entitled “UV GERMICIDAL SYSTEM,METHOD, AND DEVICE THEREOF” and published Apr. 2, 2015, are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

B. Ranking of Touch Surfaces

Given the fragile nature of patients in the intensive care units, thecleaning of this hospital environment benefits from strict adherence torigorous decontamination protocols. Despite this, the ICU remains afrequent site for the acquisition of hospital-acquired infections. Ananalysis was conducted to identify and objectively rank those surfacesin the ICU with the highest level of bioburden as determined by ATPtesting. Special attention was paid to the identification of surfacesthat could be fitted with a UV disinfection light for sterilization.

In order to rank various surfaces within the ICU, an ATP meter was usedto collect numerical measurements. The instrument derives its outputthrough the aqueous reaction of ATP, obtained from swabbing theenvironment, with the enzyme luciferase, from the firefly (Photinuspyralis). The emitted light is converted by a spectrophotometer to avoltage output and finally to a relative light unit (RLU) number on adigital display. Because of its relative nature, the ATP meter is bettersuited for the rank order comparisons of various surfaces than it is forthe absolute determination of cleanliness. However, ATP meters areroutinely used in and outside of the hospital for the purpose of thelater. In total, eleven different surfaces were swabbed in twenty-twodifferent patient rooms (FIG. 1A). A total of 171 samples were obtainedas not all surfaces were available in all rooms. Because all elevensurfaces were of different sizes and ATP load is proportional to theamount of surface swabbed, precut stencils were used to standardize theswabbing area and allow for the accurate comparison of various surfaces.Four stencil shapes were cut, all of which allowed a swabbing surface of4 square inches. The stencils were cleaned with bleach wipes in betweeneach swabbing to reduce cross contamination of the surface by thestencil.

After obtaining all samples, the data was imported and analyzed inMinitab and exported to Excel for display purposes. Significantvariations were seen between various devices in the same room andbetween the same devices in different rooms. The resulting non-normaldata points were compared via the ranking of their median values, inaccordance with statistical guidelines, to remove the effects ofoutliers on the averages. The data points are recorded in ranked orderfor each device in FIG. 1.

The ATP testing results are summarized in FIG. 1A. As can be seen,bioburden loads were a full order of magnitude higher on the dirtiestdevice (intravenous pumps, median RLU 623) as compared to the cleanest(touch screen vitals monitors, RLU 45).

FIG. 1B is a list of high touch surfaces ranked from dirtiest tocleanest based on the ATP bioloading tests. The high level of bioloadingsuggests that these surfaces present a greater risk of contamination, ifnot properly disinfected. It should be understood that this listrepresents the results of the test described above. While these testresults may be helpful is prioritizing UV disinfection efforts, theresult should not be interpreted to exclude any touch surfaces orclasses of touch surfaces from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a variety of touch surfaces in one exemplary high touchecosystem. For example, wall switches WS, wall ports WP, table tops TT,drawer pulls DP, wall mounted medical instruments WMI, IV poles IP, polemounted medical instruments PMI, bed rails BR, bed headboards BH, bedfootboards BF, overbed tables OT, bedside electronics BE, wall mounteduser interfaces WUI, hand soap dispensers HSD and sinks S are objectsthat are likely to see repeated touches and may be candidates fortracking and disinfection. Although there are many opportunities toprovide disinfection in this environment, it may be desirable to focusdisinfection and tracking efforts on the key opportunities forconvenience touches. A convenience touch would be, for example, touchingan IV pump or vitals monitor to reset an alarm. In these applications,there is an opportunity in the field to push these resets withoutgloving up or washing hands. These also present opportunities forlearning and training if tracked and presented properly. It also leadsto potential behavior modification if we teach and notify users of theseactivities as they happen.

C. UV Disinfection Network

In one aspect, the present invention provides a system and method forcollecting data and other information that may be relevant to trackinginfection and controlling disinfection opportunities. This may includetracking interactions with high touch surfaces, as well as otherworkflow (e.g. physical interactions within the monitored environment)or events that might be relevant to understanding and/or addressing thespread of infection. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary systemfor tracking high touch areas and looking for specific workflow. Anunwanted outcome of safe surfaces is that it may cause some individualsto assume that hand washing is not as important. We do not want tomodify this behavior so we connect that information into our networkwhen possible to enable and indicate proper workflow. That is alsoreinforced when a surface is touched by indication discussed later inthis disclosure. By connecting these systems we can encourage properhygiene and enable better disinfection in an effort to reduce HAI's. Bytracking a chain of usages over time that workflow becomes very clearand this can be ranked and scores also described later in thisdisclosure. FIG. 3 also shows the network of devices 10 that are joinedto produce this level of information. In this embodiment, the network 10generally includes a disinfection hub 12, a plurality of enable devices14 a-g and a router 16 configured to access the Internet (or other localor wide area network) to allow communication between the networkcomponents in the room and the network components outside the room. Asshown, the enabled devices may include a glove box 14 a, an IV pump (andcontrol) 14 b, a ventilator 14 c, a vitals monitor 14 d, a bedcomponents (such as rails and remote) 14 e, a soap dispenser 14 f and anID tag 14 g for an individual. Each of these devices 14 a-g may have theability to collect device-appropriate data and communicate that data tothe disinfection hub 12. The disinfection hub 12 which relays thecollected information via the router 16 to one or more remote componentsof the system, such as a remote server or collection of servers. In someapplications, the disinfection hub 12 may have the ability to returncommunications to the enabled device. For example, the hand soapdispenser 14 f can be touched relatively frequently so that thebioburden associated with the soap dispenser could be high. The soapdispenser 14 f may include one or more desired sensors, such as a sensorcapable of senses touches to the soap dispenser and/or a sensor capableof senses uses of the soap dispenser. The sensors may be coupled to acontrol circuit that collect sensor data and communicates that data tothe disinfection hub 12 using wireless communication. To illustrated,the soap dispenser may have a WiFi or Bluetooth transceiver capable ofexchanging communications with the disinfection hub 12. Other devicesnot have a sensor, but may simply communicate presence data. Forexample, an ID tag 14 g may not be provided with any sensors, but may beused to determine presence of the individual in a location, such as aroom. ID tags 14 g may be provided to and carried by doctors, staff,patients and guests to allow movement of individuals within the hospitalor other environment to be tracked. Movement data can, for example, beused to determine exposure to and potential spread of infections. The IDtag 14 g may be an externally-powered device in that it may not have anonboard power supply, but may instead be activated by an external powersupply. For example, the ID tag 14 g may include an RFID tag that isactivated and powered by an external electromagnetic field. It has beendetermined that device or sequence of use can be analyzed to tell muchabout the disinfection process. For example, the data obtained throughthe device can be considered alone and in combination to understandsequences or other workflows. For example, ID tag 14 g information canbe used to determine when an individual entered/exited a room and thesoap dispenser data can be used to determine if that person washed theirhands upon entry and/or exit. Similarly, the glove box 14 a may includesensors to indicate when gloves are taken from the box. The glove boxdata could be combined with individual location data to determine if anindividual put on gloves when entering a room. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the disinfection control devices or monitoringdevices may be connected via a network interface. This information isused over the workflow to research and understand infection outcomes andbecomes a tool for learning, training and behavior modification.

FIG. 4 gives a similar perspective in an alternative room (e.g. apatient room in a hospital or medical center) in which a centralcomputer located in the room is selected for the disinfection hub. Inthis embodiment, the room may be divided into a treatment room TR and abathroom BR. The network of enable devices may include a computer 20that functions as a disinfection hub, a thermostat 22 a, a faucet 22 b,a soap dispenser 22 c, a door knob 22 d, a light switch 22 e, a toilet22 f, a sink 22 g, a bathroom door knob 22 h, a bed 22 i, an IV pump 22j, medical instruments 22 k, a stationary patient table 22 l, and apatient overbed table 22 m. Although the central computer 20 functionsas the disinfection hub in this room, essentially any standard roomdevice can become the disinfection hub. For example, essentially anydevice in the room with the ability to communicate electronically (e.g.wirelessly) with other devices and with the network may provide thefunction of a disinfection hub. This may include devices that includeelectronics with associated communications transceivers or devices thatare provided with electronics and associated communications transceiversfor the purpose of functioning as a hub. To illustrate, the centralcomputer or another electronic device with network communicationcapability could be provided with software that allows existing hardwareto be used as a hub. Alternatively, a device without electronics ornetwork communications, such as a soap dispenser, could be provided witha controller and communications capabilities to permit that device tofunction as a hub.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary disinfection control system 30 that can beconfigured as an Internet-of Things (“IOT”) hub or node within thenetwork, such as network 10 discussed above. The UV disinfection controlsystem 30 of this embodiment has a UV-C power source 32 that enablesUV-C intensity control and contact time control. The UV-C source 34 maybe essentially any UV-C source capable of generating UV-C light at thedesired intensities. For example, the UV-C source may be a cold cathodelamp, a low pressure mercury lamp or UV-C light emitting diodes. Thecontrol system 20 of this embodiment also includes a controller 36 thatperforms various functions. In this embodiment, the controller 36 iscoupled to a sensor system 24 that provides the system 30 with varioussensor inputs, such as PIR sensors, motion sensors, capacitive touchsensors, accelerometer and temperature sensors, and may provide aninterface for RFID reader 26. The data collected by these sensors mayassist in controlling operation of the system 30 and in collecting datathat may be relevant to tracking on infection-related events. The touchsensing aspect of this design provides desirable functionality becausetouch events can be used to trigger UV source activation, to interruptdisinfection cycles and to provide valuable data in making dynamicadjustments to the UV parameters, such as cycle time and sourceintensity. Although the PIR solution for heat and motion may be populartoday, capacitive touch sensing is another solution for grab handles,and non-switch surfaces.

The controller 36 of this embodiment also monitors the current andvoltage within preset ranges for proper operation and lamp diagnostics.Sources can be open, shorted, impedance can change causing differentoperating voltages that the controller 36 identifies and sends to aremote network component, such as a network server on the cloud, as aservice request. In this embodiment, the UV-C power source 32 monitorsthe current and voltage to the UV source 34 and feeds that informationback to the controller 36. The controller 36 may also include volatileand and/or non-volatile storage memory. For example, the controller mayinclude flash memory.

In this embodiment, the UV source 34 and UV disinfection control system30 have integrated RFID capabilities. The RFID tag 38 located on the UVsource 34 allows the controller 36 to uniquely identify the UV source 34using the RFID reader 26. This allows the control system 30 to properlyvalidate the UV-C source and also allows new thresholds (and otheroperating parameters) to be transferred to the controller for that lamp.These thresholds may change by manufacturer or lamp time and can also bechanged over time as learning progresses. The UV power source 32 of thisembodiment is an amplifier circuit and the amplifier gain can be changedto increase or decrease intensity. This is essentially changing the lampvoltage within allowed thresholds, higher thresholds will most likelyimpact source life. These intensity thresholds may also be contained foreach lamp. The hours at each intensity level are important as thecontroller 36 accumulates the time at each intensity to enable total endof life calculations. Adjusting and applying the power to the UV lamp atcontrolled intervals allows the controller 36 to control the UV-C poweroutput. This allows high speed touch iterations to be treatmentcompensated dynamically. It is not typically ideal to run at the highestintensity as it impacts the source with shorter life. With lowerintensity lamp, longer duration “on” cycle times (or dose times) may bedesired to obtain adequate disinfection as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Thisis a dynamic control that increases dose momentarily during busy times.A running average of busy times and expected dose changes can bepreprogrammed and the algorithm then modifies these dynamically as touchiterations change. An example of the algorithm requires first having asetting of the required dose. Each unit may, for example, store thatrequired dose as intensity level and contact time at a calibrateddistance. The USB interface 42 (or other wired communication interface,such as Ethernet or RS-232) or a BTLE interface (or other wirelesscommunication interface) can be used to allow external electronicdevices, such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other mobileelectronic device, to automatically write UV parameters and other valuesrelevant values into the control system 30. In some applications, the UVsource is fixed at the specific distance from the target disinfectionsurface and a UV-C intensity meter is used to assure dose for thatinterval. This can be used to assure that every device has beencalibrated to preset standards. Some lamps are manufactured in glassrather than quartz and will not emit UV-C. This type of quality andoutput calibration can be used in the field and in the productionfacility. The OEM's manufacturing the device can assure properinstallation configurations over many mounting options and distanceswith a go-no-go answer for limits of performance. The expected lamp lifealso changes dynamically as these minimum intensity expectations areset. An aging percentage may be added to these numbers to account forsource degradation over the expected source life. The chart of FIG. 42shows a typical curve calculated for the dynamic dose curve. The dosedata vs. power is defined and measured in the lab first, stored andaveraged over life and then verified at the surface in testing. Itshould be noted that the range or intensity span is set and designed foroptimal lamp life and typically over designed. The starting calibrationvalues include the span of intensity. This sets the range of timeallowed and may be limited by, UV exposure limits, such as eye contactthresholds. In the case shown, the thresholds are set by OSHA standardsfor UV-C contact and exposure. In some applications, it may be desirableto include additional security-related components in the control system30. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, a crypto chip 44 isincluded to provide each unit with a unique ID, but other mechanisms foridentifying each unit may be provided. The security may also beaugmented with a token and SSID for security purposes stored innon-volatile memory set up by installation staff through BTLE or USBprogram for WiFi interface. This crypto ID is for an additional securitymeasure and is designed to create a disinfection and touch trackingdevice that can have the security required to write directly into anelectronic medical record.

In this embodiment, the disinfection control system 30 has BTLE and Meshcapability; the mesh network can be Zigbee or BACNet to meet specificregulatory requirements or hospital specifications. In extrememonitoring solutions a cellular module may be used to communicate thedata to the cloud as an alternative source of information gathering. Asshown, the control system 30 may include transceivers and antennamatching circuitry 28 a and a cellular module 28 b that are coupled tocorresponding antennas 29 a-c. The controller 36 may also have ports toallow directed wired connections, for example, using USB, Ethernet andRS-232 protocols.

In some applications, the disinfection control system 30 may have theability to operate on battery power. The battery version may be providedwith a battery 48 and a wireless charging circuit 46 for remotesolutions and may be recharged when docked. The optional wirelesscharging 46 and battery 48 is used for mobile applications like remoteinventory areas or procedure augmentation and support. An example is aFoley Catheter procedure, the remote disinfection device can be used tofurther disinfect the package by easily placing the disinfection devicenearby the package. Further, crash carts and infrequently used tools maybe good applications for these types of systems.

In typical applications, it is beneficial for the control to beversatile to allow embedding into the various applications mentioned inthe disclosure. Because disinfection effectiveness is a product ofintensity and time at a given distance, the calibrated numbers set thestarting point or dose at a given distance. This control system 30 may,however, be dynamic to allow many different distance and mountingoptions on various devices like vitals monitors, glove boxes, IV pumpsetc. Light switches, bed rails all need to know when touch happens toenable the low dose solution.

As noted above, the UV source (e.g. UV-C lamp) may have an RFID tag 38and the control system may have an RFID reader 26 to understand when theUV-C lamp 34 has reached end-of-life to encourage safe use andmaintenance. UV-C devices typically have a life based on hours of lifeas they self-destruct due to the nature of UV-C. The control system 30,for example, through the controller 36, may keep track of lamp “on time”by reading from and writing to memory resident on the RFID tag 38. Thecontrol system 38 may adjust the actual “on time” by a correlationfactor to compensate for lamp intensity. For example, the control system30 may increment the lamp life counter by less than the actual “on time”for operation that occurs when the lamp intensity is reduced and mayincrease the lamp life counter by more than the actual “on time” foroperation when the lamp intensity is increased. The correlation factor(or intensity adjustment factor) may be provided by the lampmanufacturing, may be determined through tests of the UV lamp or may beestimated based on past experience.

The control system 30 may also have USB and Power over Ethernet (“POE”)circuitry 37 to enable simple usage without additional power cordrequirements for this equipment. The power management circuit 39 of thisembodiment is designed as an energy harvesting power supply as to allowinputs from power generating sources and various voltages enablingflexible power adaptation. The circuit is designed to allow AC power topass through so that the host piece of equipment is undisturbed. Thiscan be helpful in many applications as these environments have stringentelectrical drainage requirements for safety. For example, when the UVdisinfection system 30 is integrated into another electronic device, thepower management circuit 39 allows the UV disinfection system 30 to drawpower from the power supply for the host electronic device. This allowsonly one outlet to be used and minimizes the confusion when plugging inthe device(s). The internal power management circuit 39 may be designedto use wireless, USB, DC and battery sources. The harvesting circuitenables the disinfection device to be powered from the current in thepower cord of the host device. The battery can be charged if even asmall current can be harvested charging the battery over time enabling agood use profile. The UV disinfection control system 30 can beimplemented without a harvesting circuit and may instead be poweredseparately from the host device. For example, the UV disinfectioncontrol system 30 may use a dedicated source of power when it is notintegrated into a host device.

In this embodiment, the control system 30 includes behavior feedbackoutputs 43 that drive haptic vibration devices, sound outputs and LEDlights that are configured for training and behavior modification (asdescribed in more detail below). Similarly, the control system 30 mayinclude an external lighting driver 45 that enables alternative lightingand could be an RGB LED allowing software configurable surface andindication lighting. This lighting option would allow light patterns andcolors to be configurable. This alternative lighting may be used inconnection with the disinfection user interface for feedback or may beused to provide supplemental lighting, such as a work light, with allconfigurable options.

FIG. 6 is a high level schematic representation of a disinfectioncontrol system 50 controlling and monitoring several UV-C remote units52 a-c. In this embodiment, disinfection control system 50 includes aprimary unit 51 that includes UV-C source and control circuitry capableof controlling operation of UV-C source in the primary unit 51, as wellas the remote units 52 a-c. In this embodiment, the remote units areconnected via a simple harness 54, which may includecommunication/control wires and, in some applications, power wires thatallow the remote units 52 a-c to be powered by the primary unit 51. Inthis embodiment, the touch sensor inputs and UV-C source (not shown) foreach remote head unit are located in that remote head units. By usingmultiple heads with one control, costs can be kept to a minimum andlarger and more complicated surfaces can be disinfected. For example,different UV source can be directed toward different regions of acomplex surface to help ensure that the entire surface is properlydisinfected. Another embodiment of a disinfection control system withmultiple UV heads is shown in FIG. 39. In this embodiment, thedisinfection control system 500 generally includes a control module 502having a microcontroller 504, a power management circuit 506, a wirelesscommunications transceiver 508 and a multihead interface 510. Themultihead interface 510 may be coupled to a plurality of UV heads 512a-c. Although shown with three UV heads 512 a-c, the number of UV headsmay vary from application to application. In this embodiment, each UVhead 512 a-c includes a final driver 514, a current sensor 516, a UV-Csource 518 and one or more touch sensors 520. The term touch sensor isused herein to refer to essentially any sensor capable of sensing when asurface is physically touched, when an object come within sufficientproximity of another (even if no physical contact occurs) or when anyother form of relevant interaction occurs. In some applications, acapacitive sensor or inductive sensor may be provided to determine whena device has been touched or when an object comes within sufficientproximity to the device. In other applications, a PIR sensor may beprovided to sense motion within proximity of a touch surface. These andother types of sensors may be incorporated into devices in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, themicrocontroller 504 includes a communications interface forcommunicating with the communications transceiver 508. Although theillustrated embodiment includes a WiFi and/or BTLE transceiver, thepresent invention may be implemented using essentially any wired orwireless communication protocol. As noted above, the UV disinfectionsystem may be integrated into a primary electronic device, such as avitals monitor or IV pump. For convenience, the UV disinfection system500 may be configured to draw power from the preexisting power supplyfor the primary electronic device. In such cases, the power managementcircuit 506 may be connected to the preexisting power supply (notshown). In other applications, the UV disinfection system 500 may be astandalone device that is separately connected to main powers. Instandalone applications, the power management circuit 506 may beconfigured to receive power directly, for example, via a power cord or aUSB cable.

With the disinfection control system having BTLE we can list theassociated MAC addresses and ID's associated with that station. Whenresearching infection, this information will be helpful. It is alsohelpful when scoring activity and enabling the potential of infection bycontact probabilities. With more people the odds of infection will go upand this input helps to identify an aspect of that equation.

The UV disinfection network may be configured to track the location ofassets within the network. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of thepresent invention in which certain assets are tracked by listening tothe advertising of electronic devices to track proximity by measuringsignal strength. For example, the hub device may be provided with WiFiand BTLE listening circuitry that can be used to identify electronicdevice that are sending advertising transmissions. In this embodiment,other assets may be provided with circuitry capable of transmitting WiFiand/or BTLE advertising transmissions. For example, WiFi and/or BTLEtransmitters or transceivers may be incorporated into visitor badges andequipment tags. As an alternative or supplement, the disinfectionnetwork may include other types of asset tag or ID tag systems. Forexample, hubs or other devices in the network may be provided with anasset tag/ID tag reader and each mobile assets may be provide with anasset tag/ID tag that can be read by the reader. In one embodiment, thedisinfection network may implement an RFID-based system in which thereaders are capable of recognizing the presence of RFID chipsincorporated into ID tags or other types of asset tags when the ID tagsor asset tags come within sufficient proximity of the readers.

FIG. 8 shows a typical low dose cycle and iteration on the top and apower enhanced dose on the bottom. In both cases, dose is enhanced bythe subsequent dose cycles over time but in the power enhanced cycle thetouch iterations look to be too close so the control system thenincreases power to reduce cycle time or contact time. The contact timeis calculated by typical touch iterations and a basic timed sequence toenhance the low dose performance FIG. 9 shows a typical low dose UV-Ccycle on the top and a time enhanced cycle on the bottom. The bottomshows a period of more touches preventing the unit from turning on andthe system compensates by allowing a longer contact time dose for acycle to catch up. This is then augmented by the subsequent additionaldose cycles over time. The present invention may be configured torespond to touch interruptions during a UV disinfection cycle by causingthe UV disinfection source to run for an accumulated time that totalsthe desired cycle time. For example, in a situation where the desireddisinfection cycle time is six minutes, the disinfection control systemcan be configured to run the UV source for a total of six minutes,excluding any time that the UV source is turned off because of a touchinteraction or a touch delay. To illustrate, if the UV source has beenrunning for two minutes when a touch event occurs, the control systemcan turn off the UV source until the touch event has stopped for aperiod of time that is equal to the touch delay. After that, the controlsystem can run the UV source for an additional four minutes (e.g. theamount of time remaining in the six-minute cycle before the touchinterruption). Similarly, if there are two interruptions during a UVdisinfection cycle, the control system can have three separate on-timesthat total to six minutes. In some applications, it may be desirable toextend the total cycle time of a disinfection cycle if that cycle isinterrupted by the occurrence of a touch event. For example, if it isdetermined that additional UV source on-time is required to provide thesame level of UV disinfection as a continuous disinfection cycle, thenthe total cycle time can be increased by the amount of time needed toprovide equivalent disinfection. This may occur if, for example, if ittakes some time for the UV source to reach an effective intensity or ifthe touch interruption is of sufficient length to allow some recovery ofthe bioload. Further, in some applications, each touch interaction mayrepresent additional bioloading and the UV disinfection control systemmay be configured to respond to a touch event by restarting a fulldisinfection cycle after each touch event (e.g. the control systemattempts to run a full six-minute disinfection cycle after every touch).It should be noted that, in some applications, the maximum allowableexposure is 6 mJ/cm2 for eye contact and overall exposure of 60 mJ/cm2for 8 hours. However, the maximum allowable exposure may vary and thepresent invention may be readily modified to comply with any exposurelimitations that may apply now or in the future.

In some applications, it may be desirable to enable writing secure datainto electronic medical records (“EMR”). When writing data into the EMR,it may be desirable to have enhanced security in the network. Forexample, the embodiment of FIG. 5, the control system 30 includes acrypto chip with a crypto ID. The crypto chip may be an Atmel cryptosecurity chip or essentially any other suitable security chip.Similarly, FIG. 16 shows a network that enables just-in-timeregistration and maintains a mirror database for your device ID. Thisconnected with the crypto challenges, the system can authorize andverify users and use directly. The importance of this is to enablewriting secure data into the EMR (Electronic Medical Record). Thisdatabase structure enables secure upgrades, easy device adding andrecognition, all in a secure format. It should be known that the primarymeans of expected data transfer is WiFi but the device is configuredwith multiple communication options. WiFi and mesh along with BTLE forlocal configuration and calibration is a common configuration. In someapplications, wired communications may be employed. FIG. 17 illustratesone embodiment of the crypto chip from Atmel that enable secureprogramming and communications for IOT devices, it shows the passage ofthe crypto key and how the security is handed off to the device.

In some applications, a mobile device may be provided to collectinformation from enabled devices. FIG. 10 is an illustration of a mobiledevice 60 collecting information from the disinfection or monitoringdevice 62. The mobile device 60 can be used where networks are difficultto access and can also be used to program and update these devicesdirectly. If desired, the mobile device 60 and the enabled device 62 maycommunicate securely using the crypto chip ID. This enables an IOT safecommunications and programming network for the proper users that can beauthenticated for various level of use and interface.

Although the present invention is described in connection with variousembodiments that implement conventional network systems and methods, thepresent invention may be implemented using a wide range of alternativenetwork structures and network protocols. For example, the illustratedembodiments of the disinfection network are implemented using anInternet-based wide area network in which individual devices communicatethrough a hub to one or more Internet or cloud-based servers that arecapable of collecting, analyzing and storing data. Disinfection networksin accordance with the present invention may, however, be implementedusing essentially any local area network or wide area network structure,or any combination of local and wide area networks now known or laterdeveloped. Further, data storage, data processing and device control maybe carried out by and distributed across any number of computers orprocessors. For example, in some applications, all data storage, dataprocessing and device control may occur in a single computer orcollection of computer associated with a local area network.Additionally, illustrated embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in the context of a wide range of known wired and wirelesscommunication protocols. Disinfection networks and disinfection devicesin accordance with the present invention may be implemented usingessentially any communications systems and methods now known are laterdeveloped.

In some applications, the UV disinfection network may be configured tomonitor individuals' activities within the network and, whenappropriate, provide messages to the individuals. The messages may beintended for reporting, instructional and/or training purposes. FIG. 18illustrates a process to push social data to the disinfection networkfor training and analytics feedback. In this embodiment, the UVdisinfection network may analyze workflows (e.g. actions and interactionbetween assets in the UV disinfection network) to determine whether aparticular individual is following desired protocols. For example, whena person enters a room, but does not promptly interact with the soapdispenser or the faucet, the UV disinfection system may determine thatthe individual did not wash his or her hands. When an individual is notutilizing hand washing or misses steps in the disinfection process thisinformation is relayed to the user for instructional purposes. Ifdesired, it may also be communicated to the individual's supervisor orto others that might use the information. The workflow information mayalso be maintained in a database and used to understand the spread ofinfection or provide accountability.

D. Disinfection Interface

In another aspect, the present invention provides a disinfectionlanguage that may be implemented as a contact interface or userinterface for UV disinfection enabled devices. FIG. 11 illustrates thebasic elements of one embodiment of a disinfection language. This is adesign and feedback language that includes visual indication and otherqueues. At one level, the premise can be to create a safe touch zone forhandling and UV disinfection to prevent and control infections whileminimizing cleaning cycles. Encouraging staff to touch specific areascan initially be difficult. In use, each touch in specific touch andno-touch zones can be tracked providing immediate feedback and tracking.The statistics of biological transfer enable this information to becalculated in the health score and becomes valuable for best practicesand workflow. The first visual queue is to provide the device with adesign having specific areas indicated for touching and other areasidentified as “no-touch” areas. These areas may include differentsurface texture, different color and/or any other visualdifferentiation. “Touch” areas will typically be areas that the UV-Cdisinfection system is capable of disinfecting, whereas “no-touch” areaswill typically be areas that cannot be adequately disinfected by theUV-C disinfection system. When a no-touch area is touched, it willlikely trigger the need for a supplemental device disinfection andcleaning (i.e. a disinfection and cleaning that cannot be carried out byan integrated UV disinfection device). In this embodiment, the no-touchareas will be configured to provide negative feedback when a touch orundesirable interaction occurs. The negative feedback may be essentiallyany form of feedback, such as a visual indication, a haptic buzz (e.g.vibration) and/or an error tone. The system may include additional oralternative forms of negative feedback, such as flashing lights. In thisembodiment, the touch data is transferred to the cloud for that deviceID and time. An IV pole can, for example, be monitored for touch and canalso provide visual, haptic and/or audible feedback. Most medicalequipment are shielded and have metal surfaces and can be easilymonitored for touch. As a result, existing constructions can provide anarea for no touch and an area for proper handling that is alreadydifferentiated. A capacitive circuit can be used to detect these touchesover a large surface. Alternative circuits capable of recognizing atouch may also be used, such as an inductive circuit or a PIR sensor.Adaptive capacitance sensing like ALSentis can be used for handles andcovered surfaces. Moisture sensors like continuity or capacitance acrossthe surface can be used to detect moisture dose loading. Once the healthcare cleaning process has been initiated a flag is set in software. Thatflag is not reset until contamination has occurred outside thedesignated touch areas that can be automatically disinfected. This is aqueue for initiating the cleaning priority process by touches andtime—again calling on transfer statistics to build a priority list. Theareas for touch can be as simple as grab handles and a keyboard as shownin FIGS. 12 and 25. An additional network or mesh layer can be easilyenabled for encouraging hand washing by monitoring or interfacing to thedata from the glove box and the hand washing or disinfection applicator.The system has built in API's that enable the combination of multipledata systems to better track touches and cleaning processes along withequipment. When an automatic disinfection zone has been touched we canoptionally provide audible feedback. That tone would be different andwould also be part of the overall score and feedback. These series offeedback tones and haptic responses will easily change behavior. Thiscombined with automatic scoring and notifications by area, person,device etc. will drive behavior change and awareness.

FIG. 12 shows a grab rail 70 with capacitive sensing and integrated UVdisinfection. Referring to the cross-sectional view, the grab rail 70 ofthis embodiment includes an inner metal structural core 72, athermoplastic or metal reflector intermediate layer 73 surrounding thecore 72 and a fluoropolymer outer layer 74. The outer layer 74 istransparent or translucent to UV light and to visible light. In thisembodiment, the grab rail 70 can be illuminated in different visiblecolors, such as red, blue and green. For example, the UV disinfectioncontrol system may include visible light sources that are positionedadjacent to the outer layer 74 so that, when a visible light source isenergized, the color of that light source permeates through the outerlayer 74 and the outer layer 74 takes on the corresponding color. The UVdisinfection control system may be configured to produce haptic feedback(e.g. vibration) and to make audible tones when the grab rail 70 istouched. FIG. 12A shows the grab rail 70 illuminated in red to indicatethat the grab rail 70 is contaminated and needs to be disinfected. Uponcontact with the red-illuminated gab rail 70, the control system mayalso cause a vibration and an audible tone to give haptic and audiblewarnings to the individual that touched the grab rail 70. Withappropriate training, the warning signals may be used to direct theindividual that touched the switch to wash his or her hands. Inapplications that track workflow, the data associated with the grab rail70 interaction can also be linked to hand washing and other types ofworkflow. FIG. 12B shows the grab rail 70 illuminated in blue toindicate that it is currently being disinfected. If the grab rail 70 ofthis embodiment is touched while disinfection is underway, the UV sourcewill be shut off until a predetermined amount of time has passed sincethat touch interaction ended. If desired, the grab rail 70 can beconfigured to emit haptic and/or audible feedback when a grab rail 70undergoing disinfection is touched. FIG. 12C shows the grab rail 70illuminated in green to indicate that the grab rail 70 has beendisinfected and can be safely touched. The capacitive or touch sensorallows the UV-C source to be turned off when a touch occurs to protectthe user from exposure. After the touch has been terminated we thendelay for a defined time and then enable a treatment cycle.

The grab rail 70 of FIG. 12 is also monitored and disinfected by adisinfection control unit. As noted above, the outer layer 74 of thegrab rail 70 may be manufactured from a plastic material, such as afluoropolymer. Further, the reflector layer disposed beneath the outerlayer 74 may be a thermoplastic. If desired, the plastics used may havecarbon or conductive properties like the ones used for static build upand prevention. These conductive properties can be the basis of acapacitive touch indication that detects the touches that enable thedisinfection process. Between the reflective materials and the plastics,this technology can be integrated into about any surface. The reflectorsor conductive materials are aligned as an input much like a heart ratesensor and the change in impedance produced by grabbing the surfaceenable the touch indication. For example, in one embodiment, thesensor(s) may be calibrated to have a value in the “not-touched” stateand then another reaction in the “touched” state. These values may, insome applications, be calibrated with the smallest interactions and withless mass. An example would be to have free air for bedrails for the“not-touched” state, then using a single finger as a “touched: statevalue across the surface. This calibration may facilitate recognition ofa wide range of touch interactions.

FIGS. 13A-C show a disinfection control system used in a light switch 80with the behavior feedback. In this embodiment, the switch may bemanufactured with an integral UV disinfection system as describedelsewhere in this disclosure. The internal UV light source may beconfigured to transmit UV light into the switch toggle 82 and to theswitch cover plate 84. For example, the switch toggle 82 and the switchcover plate 84 may be manufactured from UV transmissive material so thatthe UV light generated internally can pass through the cover plate andswitch toggle to disinfect the outer surfaces. In alternativeembodiments, only the switch toggle 82 may be manufactured from UVtransmissive material. This may mean that the switch cover plate 84 isnot treated or that sufficient UV-C light is emitted from switch toggle82 to treat the exposed surface of the switch cover plate 84. In thisembodiment, the switch 80 may also include a touch sensor (e.g. acapacitive sensor) to determine when the switch has been touched. Thesensor may be configured to sense a touch of the switch toggle 82 andpossibly the switch cover plate 84. In this embodiment, the switch alsohas the ability to illuminate in different visible colors, such as red,blue and green, to create haptic feedback (e.g. vibration) and to makeaudible tones. FIG. 13A shows the switch 80 illuminated in red when theswitch 80 is contaminated and needs to be disinfected. Upon contact withthe red-illuminated switch 80, the control system may also cause avibration and an audible tone to give haptic and audible warnings. Asnoted above, the warning signals may supplement the visible feedback andbe used to direct the individual that touched the switch to wash his orher hands. In applications that track workflow, the data associated withthe switch interaction can also be linked to hand washing and workflow.FIG. 13B shows the switch illuminated in blue to indicate that theswitch is currently being disinfected. If the switch 80 is touched whiledisinfection is underway, the UV source will be shut off until apredetermined amount of time has passed since the touch interactionended. If desired, the light switch 80 can be configured to emit hapticand/or audible feedback when a switch 80 undergoing disinfection istouched. FIG. 13C shows the switch illuminated in green to indicate thatthe switch has been disinfected and can be safely touched. Anotherfunction of this switch is to turn off the UV-C source when touched waita reasonable time to assure the user is clear and then restart therequired dose as needed. This touch protection delay is utilized in theon to off and off to on positions.

FIG. 14 shows how the vitals monitor 86 and phone 88 may have the samefeedback connected to the disinfection network. For the illustratedvitals monitor 86 and phone 88, UV disinfection is provided by externalUV disinfection devices 90 which are positioned externally and broadcastUV light onto the touch surfaces of the vitals monitor 86 and phone 88.In this embodiment, each of the UV disinfection devices 90 may includevisible light sources capable of emitting the visible light colors usedin the disinfection language (e.g. red, blue and green in theillustrated embodiments). Further, each UV disinfection device 90 mayhave audible and haptic feedback circuits capable of generating thedesired audible and haptic feedback signals when the monitored device istouched when contaminated or during disinfection.

It should be understood that the red/blue/green color feedback describedabove is merely exemplary. The number of different visual states and thecolors used to designate the different states may vary from applicationto application. For example, FIG. 15 shows the timing sequence for avisual feedback language that involves two colors—green when the surfaceis disinfected and red when the surface is not disinfected. The DoseDuration line graph goes high when the UV source is on and goes low whenthe UV source is off. The Touch Sense line graph shows vertical lineseach time a touch occurs. In this embodiment, the UV system implements atouch delay, which may prevent rapid and inefficient on and off cycle ofthe UV source. The delay is implemented by waiting a predeterminedperiod of time after a touch has occurred before reengaging the UVsource. The length of the touch delay may vary from application toapplication. The Touch Delay line graph goes high when a touch occursand remains high until the touch delay has expired. The Green Ready linegraphs goes high when the green visible light is illuminated and the RedCaution line graphs goes high when the red visible light is illuminated.In this example, the system begins in a disinfected state with the greenvisible light illuminated. When the first touch occurs, the green lightis turned off and the red light is turned on. The red light remains onuntil the touch interaction (e.g. sequence of touches) has ended, thetouch delay has passed and the UV source has completed a full UVdisinfection cycle. Once the disinfection cycle is complete, the redvisible light is turned off and the green visible light is turned on.The process repeats for additional touches. In some application, the UVdisinfection system may be configured to periodically undergo a UVdisinfection cycle even if no touch has occurred. This is shown in FIG.15 in the area identified as Time Based Dose at the right end of thegraph. In this application, the visible green light remains on duringTime Base Dose, but that may vary from application to application. FIG.15 shows an additional clean up cycle to assure additional dose based onprotocol configuration, although this is optional it can be driven as ameasure of additional prevention.

E. Social Media

In another aspect, the present invention may provide a UV disinfectionnetwork that is configured to collect data from social media and usethat information to affect operation of one or more assets within thedisinfection network. For example, social media content may be analyzedto identify content relevant to infections or the spread of infectionand, upon identification of sufficient content, to direct one or more ofthe UV disinfection devices in the network to perform supplementaldisinfection cycles, to increase UV source intensity and/or to increaseUV disinfection cycle time. As noted above, FIG. 18 shows the socialengine of one embodiment of this system. Patterns of use and trainingevents can be programmed and this system can push training content andscores for learning and behavior modification. Various preprogrammedactions are configured and the ones that are not preprogrammed enablethe user to better understand other tips and tails of the operationaldistributions and who is performing within these areas. This enablesworkflow testing and experimentation to better the disinfection processthroughout. An example of this is tracking touch frequencies. Asfrequencies increase infections will increase. With this system andmonitoring across the network we can initiate global cleanings by addingadditional cleaning cycles. This can be driven by an actual outbreak,cold and flu seasons, employee sickness and many more social and actualdata sets. It should be known that at any given time administration cansend a command and the UV disinfection network can provide a “global”disinfection on demand or timed. As more information is captured andanalyzed, the UV disinfection network will get better in tracking thesedata sets. During use in realtime, these precautionary or reactionaryevents will be initiated by ongoing trends and actual data that may beobtained by the UV disinfection network tracking capabilities or fromexternal systems. It would seem like common sense to do an extradisinfection cycle after each infection is identified but this is notpossible today without physically cleaning equipment and this processwould augment the physical cleaning nicely.

Using web crawlers for regional news articles, Twitter firehose andFacebook API interfaces we can watch and search for terms relating tohealth, disease types (flu, cold season, out breaks etc.) and accumulateincident rates. When these events increase or elevate we can pushadditional health protocols forcing additional cleanings based on theseverity and type of the recorded event. These can be suggested eventsor automated with specific preset protocols or timing. The timing isbased on time of year where some of these are expected based onhistorical data. Severity of the response may be proportional to theseverity of the outbreak and increase the time and frequency ofcleaning.

F. Disinfection Network

The UV disinfection network may be configured to collect essentially anydata or information that might contribute to the networks ability tounderstand, track and disinfect against infections. This data may becollected by UV disinfection enabled devices or be obtained from sourcesoutside the UV disinfection network. FIG. 19A shows some typicalworkflows that a UV disinfection network in accordance with the presentinvention might span to enhance the data and information about theinfection process and probabilities. Opportunities to interface withexisting asset management systems, nurse call and identification systemsmay enhance the process of disinfection and enable a better view of theinfection probabilities. Enabling an overview of this information withmachine business learning will enhance the understanding and may help todraw unexpected conclusions. An example of these interactions is shownbelow. FIG. 19B illustrates the type of data that might be collectedfrom a room over a short duration. The data may be collectedperiodically and/or at interactions with each device. Each data recordmay include a time stamp field, a device ID field, a device type field,a status field, a life remaining field, a consumable type field, anassociated room field and a patent ID field. This record format ismerely exemplary and the system may be configured to collect and storeessentially any data, including any data that might be relevant to oruseful in tracking or analyzing enabled device, tagged individuals,infections and disinfection activity.

In an ideal world, each device will have a unique identifier that trackstouches and uploads that information into the cloud for analysis. Thepresent invention may involve integration in essentially all hospitalequipment and staff, like asset tracking for equipment, hand washing andteaching systems and other unexpected systems. The system may have anopen API framework to import additional information for these systems inorder to make a more complete record of touches and interactions. Eachdata set may provide status, ID, consumable percentage and function asseen above for association and comparison statistically. UTC time stampsallow universal alignment to time.

In one embodiment, the UV disinfection network may be configured totrack UV exposure on an individual-by-individual basis. For example, theUV disinfection network may use individual ID tags to track movement ofindividuals through the network, for example, from room to room within ahospital, and to store data indicative of interactions between each userand a UV disinfection device. To illustrate, the UV disinfection networkmay use individual ID tags to identify a user that has come intoproximity of a UV disinfection device during a UV disinfection cycle.For example, when a proximity sensor for a UV disinfection cycle istriggered, the individual triggering the sensor may be identified usingthe individual ID tag. Upon triggering of the proximity sensor, the UVdisinfection system may terminate or interrupt the UV disinfection cycle(e.g. turn off the UV source) and a communication may be sent to thenetwork server identifying the individual that triggered the proximitysensor. In the context of an RFID ID tag, the presence of an ID tag maybe identified using an RFID reader integrated into or associated withthe UV disinfection device. The communication regarding the individualtriggering the proximity sensor may be sent by essentially any networkdevise, such as the UV disinfection device or the RFID reader. In someapplications, the network server may combine a communication from the UVdisinfection device and the RFID reader to track UV exposure byindividual ID tag. Upon a determination of the individual triggering theproximity sensor, the UV disinfection device may send a communicationidentifying UV source intensity and the amount of time it took for theUV source to be turned off. In some applications, the UV disinfectiondevice may measure the actual time required to turn off the UV source.In other applications, that time may be an estimate (e.g. based onaverage turn-off time, plus a safety margin, if desired). The UVdisinfection network may maintain accumulated UV exposure data for eachindividual and use that information to affect operation of UVdisinfection devices or other assets within the network. For example,the network may maintain data representative of the accumulated UV-Cexposure taking into account UV source intensity and UV source turn-offtime for each exposure event. This information may be accumulated andwatched to ensure that no individual is exposed to more than a desiredamount of UV energy in a given timeframe (e.g. no more thanpredetermined amount of UV-C energy in a 24 hour period). In someapplications, the network may collect individual event exposure data andmaintain accumulated exposure data by individual to facilitateconfirmation of compliance with exposure limits. In some applications,the network may take action to help prevent overexposure. For example,if an individual approaching the periodic exposure limit (e.g. dailyexposure limit) enters a room, the network may instruct the assets tovary operation to protect the individual from further exposure. Forexample, when an individual ID tag enters a room, the ID tag reader maysend a communication to the server providing notice that the user hasentered the room. The network server may then evaluate accumulatedexposure for that individual and determine whether action is desired toprotect the user from further exposure. If so, the network server mayinstruct the UV disinfection devices or other assets in that room totake any desired action. With regard to UV disinfection devices, thismay include reducing UV intensity, reducing UV cycle time, terminatingany UV disinfection cycle in process and/or preventing start of any UVdisinfection cycles while that individual remains in the room.

G. Integrated UV Disinfection System

In another aspect, the present invention provides a UV disinfectionsystem that can be incorporated directly into a devices to provide UVdisinfection for the device from within. To facilitate these types ofconstructions, the devices to be treated may incorporate UV transmissivematerials at the touch surfaces to direct UV-C energy generated insidethe device to pass outwardly to the touch surfaces. FIGS. 20 through 22show the UV-C transmission properties of various materials. UV-Ctypically includes light in the wavelength range of 100 nm to 290 nm. Inembodiments of the present invention, the UV light source may beconfigured to produce UV light at a wavelength of about 254 nm.Materials with good UV-C transmission properties at 254 nm allow theUV-C 254 nm disinfection system to be built internally within productsrather than externally by allowing surface materials to radiate UV-C. Inone embodiment, the present invention utilizes a UV-C transmissivematerial having a transmission percentage of at least 60 percent at 254nm. In another embodiment, the UV transmissive material of the presentinvention has a transmission percentage of at least 65 percent at 254nm. In yet another embodiment, the UV transmissive material has atransmission percentage of at least 70 percent or at least about 72percent. As shown, UV fused silica, fused quartz and PFA provideadequate UV-C transmission at 254 nm. Many typical materials, such asAcrylite material shown in FIG. 22, do not pass sufficient UV-C to besuitable for typical applications.

Optically, the use of texture on the source side provides a betterpiping and performance by creating multiple light paths. The substratemay include have a structural thickness for strength and reduced thethickness to provide better UV transfer will less losses. Thickness isdirectly proportional to UV-C losses with materials with lowertransmissivity. In one embodiment, the substrate has structural ribswhere needed to make the PFA a viable “A surface” part. Because thesubstrate is semi-transparent, the substrate material enablescustomization using an RGB LED to select any color the user wants andalso using these color for connection status, battery life, clickstatus, and other feedback. As noted above, PFA provide UV transmissivecharacteristics that are suitable for use with the present invention.FIG. 32 shows the transmission characteristics of PFA material withintensity on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. Thegraph shows the transmission and stability of the material (bothtextured and un-textured. With quartz, Teflon and PFA materials it maybe desirable to diffuse the UV light moving out through the material.This can be done on the top or bottom side of the material. Providingscratches, a gradient of prism like surfaces or a simple texture, thesystem can extract light from the material. Without this modification ofthe material, light will have a tendency to exit in the directedpattern. An example of this is, when projected through a material, thetexturing diffuses the light. To illustrate, when edge light isprojected into a piece of quartz, there is great edge to edgetransmission but little surface emission. If the quartz is textured orthere is a reflector with UV reflectivity, good transmission isachieved. In some applications, the substrate may include textures forindirect source pick up and polished surface for direct source areas.Texturing and polishing a substrate using a flaming process may provideenhanced performance.

FIG. 23 shows a device with UV light source 100 that is enhanced bylouvers 102 a-b. The UV-C energy drops off fast over transmissiondistance and extending the transmission path increases energy losswithin the transmission media and results in less UV-C energy reaching aproximate individual. The reduction of UV intensity is dictated by theinverse squared law and is reduced dramatically allowing more dose withless exposure. By using louvers 102 a-b, we can increase the distancethe UV light needs to travel to get to your eyes in a given application.In the illustrated embodiment, the louvers 102 a-b direct the UV-C lightto an opposing surface and only the reflection can be seen. As a result,louvers 102 a-b help to limit exposure to low dose UV-C. Additionally,louvers 102 a-b cause the UV-C energy to travel through the transmissionmedia for a greater distance, thereby providing the opportunity for moreenergy to be transmitted over the touch surface. Although FIG. 23 showslouvers 102 a-b disposed on opposite sides of the UV-C source to directlight through the UV transmissive material, additional or alternativelouvers may be added to the system to provide supplemental UV-C lightguidance. For example, louvers (not shown) may be added to the insideand outside of the UV transmissive material at the end of the materialopposite the UV-C source to assist in redirecting UV-C light thatreflects off the far end of the UV transmissive material. The louvers102 a-b may be manufactured from essentially any material that is nottransparent to UV-C energy. For example, the louvers may be manufacturedfrom a UV-C reflective metal, a plastic material that is reflective orsubstantially opaque to UV-C light or a plastic material that is linedwith a layer of UV-C reflective or UV-C opaque material.

H. Reflective Substrates

In another aspect, the present invention provides an improved deviceconstruction utilizing UV reflective materials. In one embodiment, thepresent invention may include thermoplastics with enhanced reflectivityto UV-C light. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional illustration showing howthermoplastic materials can be used as reflectors in UV disinfectionsystems. Flow cells that contain e-PTFE (expanded PolyTetraFluorEthylen) provide 95% reflectance or more (as shown in the table below)of the UV-C light-making systems constructed of these materials highlytransmissive.

Material Reflectivity e-PTFE 95% Aluminum-sputtered on glass 80%Aluminum foil 73% Stainless steel (various formulas) 20-28%

In this embodiment, a device 92 generally includes a disinfectioncontrol system 94, a thermoplastic substrate 96 and a UV-C transmissiveouter layer 98. The disinfection system may include a UV-C source and adisinfection control system that polished aluminum and chrome metal aregood reflectors, but thermoplastics can also use thermoplastic.Thermoplastic compositions that reflect ultraviolet radiation areanother source of disinfection efficiencies. In one embodiment, the UVreflectivity of a thermoplastic material may be improved by mixing athermoplastic compositions including of a suitable thermoplasticmaterial and particles of UV reflective material.

The composition and configuration of the thermoplastic composition andthe UV reflective material can be selected to provide a composition withdesired levels of UV reflectivity, and transmissivity for a desiredapplication. The composition of the thermoplastic composition may alsobe selected to be cost-effective, resistant to degradation upon exposureto UV radiation for at least a desired period of time. Utilizing PFA ande-PTFE is a great example of a reflector and UV-C transmissive material.

The level of UV reflectivity is adequate to provide a desired intensityof reflected UV radiation within a surface sample, such as a sample of asurface. For example, a desired intensity of reflected UV radiation froma thermoplastic composition may provide a germicidal intensity of UVlight adequate to decontaminate a surface sample, such as 20 to about 40milliwatt-seconds/cm2, including 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40milliwatt-seconds/cm2, and any light intensities there between. Thedesired level of reflectivity of a UV reflective thermoplasticcomposition can vary depending on the configuration of a reflectingsurface that includes the UV reflective thermoplastic composition. UVreflective thermoplastic compositions may be characterized by an initialreflectivity of at least 30% of UV radiation at a wavelength of 254 nmupon initial contact with UV radiation. Other UV reflectivethermoplastic compositions are characterized by an initial reflectivityof at least 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, or more,of UV radiation. The UV reflectance can be measured using a UVspectrophotometer, such as a Cary 500 UVNIS/NIR Spectrophotometerequipped witha DRA-CA-5500 Integrating Sphere, or comparableinstrumentation. A thermoplastic composition in one embodiment maymaintain an initial reflectivity of at least 30% of UV radiation at awavelength of 254 nm for a suitable period of time, which may be atleast 10 hours of continuous or intermittent UV radiation, and may insome embodiments be up to 20, 30, 40 hours or more of continuous orintermittent UV radiation.

The UV reflective material is selected and configured to provide athermoplastic composition having desired level of UV reflectivity and adesired level of resistance to UV degradation. The thermoplasticcomposition may be a metal-polymer composite comprising UV reflectivemetal microparticles dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer resin. The UVreflective material may be aluminum, although any suitable UV reflectivematerials can be used. Suitable UV reflective materials can includemetal or metal alloys, such as stainless steel particles, or non-metalmaterials such as UV reflective polymer materials. The UV reflectivematerial may be configured as particles within the thermoplasticmaterial. The size and density of the particles in the thermoplasticcomposition can be selected to provide desired levels of UVreflectivity, machine processability, and cost-effectiveness. Theparticles of UV reflective material can have any size suitable toprovide the desired level of UV reflectivity, but in one embodiment aremicroparticles, such as microparticles having an average size of about 1to 100 μm, or in some embodiments about 15 μm to about 55 μm, includingparticles having an average size of about 15, 17, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 54 or 55 μm.

Any density of particles of UV reflective material can be included in athermoplastic material that provides a thermoplastic composition with adesired level of UV reflectivity. The density of particles of UVreflective materials may, in some embodiments, be high enough to providea desired level the UV reflectivity to a thermoplastic composition,without undesirably affecting the machine processibility of athermoplastic composition. For example, concentrations of abrasive UVreflective materials, such as metallic UV reflective metals, of about 5%or more may cause damage to machining surfaces. Therefore, the densityof metallic UV reflective materials in the thermoplastic compositionmay, in some embodiments, be less than about 5%, 4%, 3% or 2%. Toprovide adequate levels of UV reflectivity, the density of metallic UVreflective material may, in some embodiments, be at least about 0.25%,0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.25%, or 1.50%. Examples of suitable densities ofUV reflective materials include about 1.00%, 1.25%, 1.50%, 1.75% and2.00%

Various UV reflective compositions having desired levels of UVreflectivity can be formulated using combinations of UV reflectivemicroparticles of different sizes and concentrations. Larger particlesand/or higher concentrations of UV reflective material can providehigher levels of UV reflectivity; smaller particles and lowerconcentrations of UV reflective material can provide lower levels of UVreflectivity. An increase in the surface area to volume ratio of the UVreflective material may account, at least in part, for the increased UVreflectance of the smaller particles. For example, a thermoplasticcomposition comprising 1.00% aluminum microparticles having an averagesize of 17 μm in a polypropylene homopolymer thermoplastic material mayhave a reflectivity of up to about 40%, or higher, of UV radiation at awavelength of 254 nm. Comparably, a thermoplastic composition comprising1.50% aluminum microparticles having an average size of 54 μm in apolypropylene homopolymer thermoplastic material may also have areflectivity of up to about 40%, or higher, of UV radiation at awavelength of 254 nm. In some embodiments, UV reflective compositionshas a UV reflectance at 254 nm of at least about 30%.

The low dose UV-C disinfection applications are identified in FIGS. 3-6,10-14, 23-31 and 33-41.

The capacitive surface is best as metal mesh like a screen allowinglight through while providing a capacitive substrate, metal strips orstampings can also be used for specific coverage areas.

I. Exemplary UV Disinfection Devices

In FIG. 25, an embodiment of a membrane keyboard with low dose UV-C isshown. In this embodiment, the membrane keyboard 110 generally includesa membrane substrate 112, a switch layer 114, a tactile layer 116, a UVtransmission layer 118 and a disinfection system 120 with a UV lightsource 122 and a disinfection control system 124. In this embodiment,the UV transmission layer 118 is manufactured from PFA. By using PFA asthe surface transmission layer and light piping the UV-C through thattransmission layer the disinfection system provides a good dose of UVlight to the touch surface. Although the UV transmission layer 118 ofthis embodiment is PFA, the UV transmission layer 118 may bemanufactured from essentially any material capable of providing thedesired level of UV-C transmission. The switch layer 114 includes keysthat are used for touch sensing. The switch layer 114 may be essentiallyany current or future keyboard switch layer. The disinfection controlsystem 124 enables the low dose UV-C method. The tactile layer 116 ofthis embodiment has the printing of the keys and may also use reflectivenanoparticle Aluminum or Titanium Dioxide to reflect the UV to the outersurface of the UV transmission layer 118. In this embodiment, thenanoparticle coating protects the surface from UV-C degradation like anSPF for materials and is reflective to UV-C providing a better surfacedose. The tactile layer 116 of this embodiment may provide for physicalmovement causing tactile feedback. The tactile feedback can also beaccommodated by using vibration motors to initiate haptic feedback usingvibration, but the physical click in a key may also be accommodated witha spring dome used in membrane keypads. In the illustrated membraneconstruction, each layer is glued together, although the final UVtransmission layer 118 is held by a pressure bezel in this embodiment.Glues may be used that do not change the optics and ones that are notunacceptably susceptible to UV degradation. For example, the componentsmay be joined by an index-matching cement or adhesive. The transmissionarea may have bulbous and rounded optics on the edges to accept and pipethe UV light from the source into the surface materials.

The keyboard of FIG. 25 may be integrated into a wide variety ofapplications and may be customized to provide optimized performance foreach application. For example, the keyboard may vary in the design,configuration, number, location and arrangement of keys, as well as theintegration of other user interface components, such as a displayscreen. For example, FIG. 26 shows a keyboard 110′ having the generalconstruction of FIG. 25 incorporated into a bedside remote control. Inthis embodiment, the keyboard 110′ is overlaid with a UV transmissionlayer 118′ that may cover the entire remote control (e.g. front, sidesand back) or only a portion of the remote control (e.g. front only).

In another aspect, the present invention may provide low dose UV-Cdisinfection in touch screens. For example, FIG. 27 shows a tabletcomputer 130, such as an iPad, with an integrated UV disinfectionsystem. In FIG. 27, a quartz transmissive layer 132 is used to enablelow dose UV-C in a touch display on a tablet computer, such as an iPad.As noted above, quartz is a good transmission substrate for UV-C 254 nm.In FIG. 27, the tablet computer may include a disinfection system havinga control system (not shown) and UV light source 134 disposed in adevice case 136 combined with a UV transmissive display layer 132 thatcovers the touch screen 138. Although shown in the context of a tabletcomputer 130, the present invention may be incorporated into essentiallyany device with a touch screen, such as monitors, mobile phones andother designs. The PFA material can be used for the connecting andbottom surfaces to enable all surfaces with low dose UV-C. In someapplications, the quartz layer (or other UV transmissive layer) may becoated with a UV reflective material to increase the amount of UV-Clight that reaches the touch surface and to help prevent UV light frompenetrating into the underlying components. As an alternative to a UVreflective coating, a UV reflective sheet may be disposed beneath the UVtransmissive layer. E-PTFE is a great coating and can be extruded insheet or films, spray coated, co-molded, or and is transparent to lightbut reflective to UV-C. Thinner quartz is less expensive but is moredifficult to transfer effective UV-C doses. The edges of the quartz arehighly polished and the UV-C source has a reflector that is specificallydesign to provide the directing optics that provide the bestintensities. This means the light needs to go around the lamp wherepossible as opposed to reflecting the UV light back through the lampsand seeing reduced performance due to the quartz surfaces. In some casesthe thickness of the quartz allows the end to be rolled allowing a verynice piping entry for the source. The end of the quartz screen cover orsurface is bent to allow the source to have more surface area exposureto the entry point for the light pipe.

The present invention may be adapted for use in adding an integrated UVdisinfection system to a broad range of products. For example, theconstruction may allow essentially any product that is the subject offrequently touches to be provided with an integrated, internal UVdisinfection system. To illustrated, FIG. 28 shows a door handle 140that has an over layer 142 of PFA and is controlled by the disinfectioncontrol system (not shown). In this embodiment, the outer layer 142 isdisposed over an underlying metal substrate 144. The metal substrate 144makes a great surface for the capacitive sensor. In the context of thedoor handle, it may be desirable to power the disinfection controlsystem using a wireless power supply. For example, the disinfectioncontrol system shown in FIG. 5 can be used for the door handle 140 andother devices where wireless power may be beneficial. In the context ofthe door handle 140, the wireless power system is extended to the doorframe and power for the device mounted in the door and power is providedthrough that wireless connection. More specifically, a primary coil orother wireless power transmitter is mounted in the door frame and asecondary coil or other wireless power receiver is mounted in the dooradjacent to the primary coil in the door frame. The wireless powersupply may be connected to mains power and may include a wireless powercontroller that applies the appropriate power signal to the primary coilto generate an electromagnetic field capable of wirelessly conveyingpower to the secondary coil in the door. With this construction, thepower is connected to the mains while the disinfection system remainsmobile with no connections. A local battery is optional but allows forbetter dose control, feedback and behavior functionality. If desired,this system may utilize the same disinfection control system and reporttouches in the same manor using UTC time and touch accumulators. Becausetouches and infections are a transfer function these frequencies are aproduct of statistical probabilities and enable helpful inputs toscoring and global decisions. All behavior feedback and indicators couldbe the same for consistency. However, they could vary, if desired.

In FIG. 29, UV transmissive material, such as PFA, in used in theelevator buttons and enable the same low dose UV-C solution withdisinfection status described above. In this embodiment, the elevatorcontrol panel 150 includes two button assemblies 152 a and 152 b. Eachbutton assembly 152 a-b may have a UV transmissive cover 154 disposedover an underlying UV-C source 156. Additionally, a multicolor LED 158may be situated under each button to allow the button cover 154 to beilluminated with the color associated with the disinfection languagediscussed above. The control system is designed to turn off at touch,wait for a short period indicating an average touch and then turn on theUV to treat the button.

FIG. 30 shows a table 160 with grab bars 162 and a UV transmissivesurface 164, such as PFA. It should be noted that PFA is already used inmedical applications and is known for its chemical resistant properties.As shown, the table 160 has a patient support surface 166 that iscovered with a PFA UV transmissive layer 168 and grab bars 162 that arecovered with PFA UV transmissive layers 164 to enable proper use andhandling. The systems also include the disinfection control system 170and UV light source 172 that are enclosed within the table 160. Thedisinfection control system 170 may implement any of the various UVtreatment and touch tracking processes discussed elsewhere in thisdisclosure.

Experience has revealed that there can be issues with storage cabinetsas they are accessed and may not have required washing or gloving forthe user. FIG. 31 shows storage cabinet 180 incorporating an embodimentof the present invention in which an internal UV-C disinfection system182 light pipes the UV-C to the outside door pull 184. In thisembodiment, a small amount of metallic reflector material is used as thecapacitive surface indicating touch and enabling the low dose UV-Csystem. An aluminum reflector can be used behind the material and aprogressive and/or textured light pipe like molded surface. The UVdisinfection system 183 may include a control system 186 and a UV-Csource 188. The door pull 184 may be manufactured from a UV-Ctransmissive material that allows UV-C light generated inside thecabinet 180 by the UV-C source 188 to be routed to the exposed outersurfaces of the door pull 184 so that the outer surfaces of the doorpull 184 can be properly disinfected. A UV reflective layer 190 may linethe interior of the doors 192 to reflect the UV-C light back into thestorage cabinet to allow disinfection of the interior of the cabinet180.

FIGS. 33-35 are illustrations of a mouse 200 designed to be manufacturedat least in part from a UV transmissive material, such as PFA. The mouse200 of the illustrated embodiment includes a top housing 202 and abottom housing 204 that cooperatively form the outermost structure ofthe mouse 200. The top and bottom housings 202, 204 may be molded fromPFA or other UV transmissive materials. The illustrated mouse 200includes a scroll wheel 206, which may also be manufactured from PFA orother UV transmissive materials. Referring now to FIG. 34, the mouse 200may include electronics that include a printed circuit board assembly208 having a mouse control circuit 210 and associated components. Themouse circuit board 210 may include micro-switches 212 for the mousebuttons, and may also include a scroll wheel sensor (not shown) to senserotation of the scroll wheel 206. It should be understood that theillustrated mouse electronics are merely exemplary and the mouse mayinclude essentially any alternative electronics. The mouse circuit board210 may also include the disinfection circuit and associated components,such as a pair of UV lamps 214 and one or more touch sensors (notshown). As shown, the UV lamps 214 may include two L-shaped UV lamps 214that extend generally along the periphery of the printed circuit boardassembly 208. The disinfection circuit and lamps 214 enable the supplyof low dose UV-C and the disinfection control unit to be built into themouse 200. The UV lamps 214 may be situated over the top surface of thecircuit board, which allows the circuit board to function as a UVreflector to reflect UV energy upwardly into the UV transmissive tophousing 202. Although not show, a UV reflector may be positioned beneatheach UV lamp 214 to reflect UV light toward the desired regions of thetop housing 202.

FIG. 36 shows an embodiment of a keyboard 300 manufactured to enable lowdose UV-C disinfection. The key board 300 generally includes a keyboardoverlay structure 302 with key caps 304, reflective key inserts 306, aplurality of UV sources 308 and a printed circuit board assembly 310with buttons 312. The key caps 304 and the remainder of the keyboardoverlay structure 302 may be manufactured from PFA or other UVtransmissive materials. The printed circuit board assembly 310 has aplurality of UV-C sources 308 that provides enough energy to be lightpiped through these key caps 302. For example, the UV sources 308 may bea plurality of elongated UV lamps that extend across the keyboard 300between adjacent rows of keys. In this embodiment, the key cap insert306 has the printed characters and acts as a reflector for the lightpipe for better efficacy to the surface disinfection. For example, theexternal upper surfaces of the key inserts 306 are coated with a UVreflective material or the key inserts 306 may be a plastic impregnatedwith a UV reflective additive.

FIG. 37 shows an alternative keyboard incorporating an alternativeembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the keyboard400 generally includes a plurality of keys 402, a key overlay 404, aprinted circuit board assembly 406 with a plurality of push buttons 408and key caps 410, a plurality of UV sources 412 and a keyboard enclosure414. In this embodiment, the keys 402 and key overlay 404 aremanufactured from a UV transmissive material, such as PFA. The UVsources 412 may include a plurality of elongated UV lamps arrangedbetween adjacent rows of keys. The UV sources 412 may be essentially anyalternative UV energy sources, such as UV LEDs. The printed circuitboard assembly 406 may include a reflective upper surface configured toreflect UV light toward the keys 402 and key overlay 404. Similarly, thekey caps 410 may be UV reflective, for example, by application of a UVtransmissive coating or impregnating the key caps 410 with UV reflectiveadditives.

The present invention is also well-suited for use in connection withkiosks and other similar products with touch screens. For example, FIG.38 shows an exemplary kiosk with an integrated UV disinfection system.The kiosk 450 generally includes a touch screen 452 enclosed within akiosk enclosure 454. The kiosk enclosure 454 may be include an edgestructure that functions as a louver 464 for directing UV light. The UVdisinfection system includes a UV transmissive overlay 456, a reflectivesheet 458, UV sources 460 and reflectors 462. The UV transmissiveoverlay 456 may be manufactured from PFA or other UV transmissivematerials. The UV reflective sheet 458 may include a reflective coatingon its outward facing surface to reflect UV light emerging from theinterior of the UV transmissive overlay 456. In this embodiment, the UVsources 460 include elongated UV lamps arranged along the edges of theUV transmissive overlay 456 to transmit UV energy through the edges ofthe overlay 456. The reflectors 462 are positioned outwardly of the UVlamps and are configured to reflect light from the UV sources into theedges of the UV transmissive overlay 456.

J. UV Disinfection System Calibration

The present invention may be implemented as a UV treatment device thatcan be mounted on or adjacent to the surface to be treated. This may,for example, be a keyboard, touchscreen, handle or other surface thatmay be touched and may benefit from UV treatment. The position of the UVtreatment device relative to the surface to be treated, as well as thesize, shape and configuration of the surface to be treated, willcontribute to the intensity of light that reaches surface to be treated.To ensure that the entire surface is properly disinfected, it isimportant to set the UV source intensity so that even the portions ofthe surface that receive the least amount of UV-C energy are properlydisinfected. To achieve this objection, the system may be configured toimplement a calibration method in which actual UV intensity measurementsare used to set initial intensity of the UV-C source. In one embodiment,the calibration method includes the steps of: a) installing the UVtreatment device adjacent to the surface to be treated; b) energizingthe UV-C source at a predetermined power level; c) measuring the UV-Cintensity at a plurality of locations using a UV intensity meter, d)determining the lowest UV-C intensity measurement, e) determining theUV-C power level required to provide the desired UV-C intensity at thelocation of the lowest UV-C intensity measurement and f) setting theinitial UV-C power level for the UV-C source to correspond with thedetermined UV-C power level. Additionally or alternatively, thecalibration algorithm may adjust exposure time. For example, if thelowest measured intensity is lower than the desired intensity, the UVparameters may be adjusted to extend the initial duration of the UVtreatment cycle in addition to or as an alternative to adjusting theinitial UV-C power level. After calibration is performed, the UVtreatment parameters are accurate for that particular arrangement inthat a UV treatment cycle can confidently be expected to disinfect theentire surface to be treated. As can be seen, the calibrationmeasurements provide actual UV intensity measurements immediatelyadjacent the surface to be treated, and these measurements are used toadjust the UV intensity and/or exposure time, for example, in accordancewith the algorithm provided above. In some embodiments, the calibrationvalues (e.g. initial UV-C power level and initial cycle duration) arestored in non-volatile registers. The values may, however, be adjustedover time to compensate for UV-C output degradation over lamp life.Further, the measured calibration number(s) may be stored in anon-volatile register and be set at installation by communicating to acustom calibration tool. For example, the UV disinfection device maycommunicate wirelessly or by wired connection with a calibrationapplication running on a mobile device, such as a smartphone, tablet,laptop or custom electronic calibration device. Once set, the system hasthe details for that surface, distance and measured dose and canreference that number for treating and reporting about that surface andemployee exposure accordingly.

The calibration method may vary from application to application. In someapplications, the calibration process and method for OEM installationscan be used as a pass fail criteria for testing. In this context, theprocess for calibration of dose and exposure may include the followingsteps: a) set device at installed distance and attitude; b) sequentiallyset UV-C calibration sensor at each of the four outside corners of thedisinfection area; c) measure all corners for intensity and exposure; d)log pass and fail for exposure testing requirements; e) store minimumrequired values for in UV-C disinfection device for reference; and f)log configuration for serial number.

K. Dynamic UV Disinfection Control

In another aspect, the present invention provide a system and method fortracking and understanding actions and interactions relating todisinfection. For example, an entire network of UV disinfection devicesand UV disinfection sensor can be used to collect data and otherinformation relevant to infections and disinfection. The data and otherinformation collected using the system can be combined with data andother information collected outside the network. The data andinformation can be combined and used in many ways to understand and takeaction to address infections. For example, the information can be usedto dynamically control the UV disinfection systems associated with thenetwork. This can be controlling the UV parameters on a dynamic basis toallow each UV disinfection device to adapt to its environment andassociated interactions or to facilitate network wide control functions,such as causing network-wide or sub-group operation of UV disinfectiondevices in response to collected data and other information. The UVdisinfection network may be used to collect essentially any data andinformation that might be useful to understanding and addressinginfections.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a UV disinfectioncontrol system that is configured to dynamically adjust UV treatmentduration and/or UV source intensity dynamically in response to a varietyof measured data. For example, the control system may be configured tocarry out a UV disinfection cycle each time there is a touch event, andto terminate any cycle that is interrupted by a touch. The touch eventmay be sensed by a capacitive touch sensor or by other types of touchsensors. In the illustrated embodiment, the control system may bedetermine or be provided with initial UV intensity and initial UV cycleduration values. The control system may store the initial UV intensityand the initial UV cycle duration in memory. These initial values may,for example, be determined using the calibration methodology describedelsewhere in this disclosure. For purposes of this disclosure, theinitial UV cycle time will be six minutes and the initial UV intensitywill be ˜559 mm (22″)×241 mm (9.5″) @ ˜1 uW/cm{circumflex over ( )}2. Toprevent the system from repeated starting and stopping the UV-C as aresult of frequent touch events, the control system may be configured towait a specified amount of time (e.g. stored as a “touch delay”) afterthe most recent touch before energizing the UV-C source. The time may beoffset by a stored distance measurement used by the OEM of installationpersonnel upon configuration. If the UV disinfection network recognizesadditional hardened pathogens, the control system can then adjust dosebased on distances and known power levels. This time may vary fromapplication to application depending on the nature of touch interactionsfor the specific device being treated. In the context of a keyboard, forexample, the control system may be configured to wait a period of oneminute after the last touch occurs before energizing the UV-C source. Inthe context of devices that have shorter average touch durations, suchas the control panel for an IV pump, the touch delay may besignificantly shorter. As another option, the control system may store a“touch delay” value that is roughly equivalent to or a predeterminedamount of time longer than the average duration of a touch interaction.For example, if the average length of a touch interaction on the type ofdevice is two minutes, the control system may set a touch delay of threeminutes to allow sufficient time for most touch interactions tocomplete. For this example, the touch delay is about 150% of the averagelength of a touch interaction, but the touch delay may be a differentpercentage of the average or selected independently from the average. Inthis context, when a touch occurs, the control system may wait thelength of the touch delay before energizing the UV-C source. The controlsystem may also keep track of cycle interruptions. A cycle interruptionoccurs when a touch event takes place while the UV source is energizedand in the process of implementing a UV disinfection cycle. When a touchinterrupts a cycle, the control system turns off the UV source andfollows a delay protocol, such as one of the two options describedabove, before attempting to restart the UV source. If the disinfectioncycle is interrupted too many times in a row, the control system mayincrease the UV source intensity to attempt to complete a UVdisinfection cycle in the available time between touches. For example,the control system may look at the average touch interval (e.g. averageamount of time that passes between touches) or at actual recent touchintervals (e.g. the amount of time between the most recent touches ornumber of touches) to determine the increased intensity. For example, ifthe average touch interval for this device during this time frame (e.g.this time in the day) is four minutes, the control system may scale upthe UV source intensity so that it generates sufficient UV-C energy tofully disinfect the touch surface in four minutes rather continuing toattempt to disinfect the surface for six minutes at the initial UVintensity. Once the control system implements an increased UV intensity,it may apply the increased intensity for a predetermined number of UVdisinfection cycles before switching back to the initial UV intensityand initial UV cycle time, or it may continue to monitor touchinteractions and return to the initial UV intensity and initial UV cyclewhen the amount of time that passes between sequentially touchinteractions is sufficient to accommodate a full UV disinfection cycleat initial UV intensity (e.g. a six minute cycle).

The control system may also be configured to implement supplementalcycles that occur whether or not a touch has taken place. This mayinclude time based cycles (e.g. one disinfection cycle every four hoursafter the end of the most recent previous disinfection cycle) and/orevent based cycles (e.g. an infection has been identified in sufficientproximity to the device). Although these supplemental cycles are likelyto take place at the initial UV intensity and for the initial cycleduration, it is possible in some applications for supplemental cycles tooccur at modifies parameters, such as a higher intensity, lowerintensity, shorter duration or longer duration.

L. System and Method for Tracking Lamp Life

The present invention may include a system and method for accuratelytracking lamp life despite variations in UV intensity. In oneembodiment, the UV disinfection system may include memory capable ofstoring actual lamp run time data. This memory may be located in thecontrol system and may be reset each time a new UV source is installedand/or it may be located on the UV source so that it remains with the UVsource even if the UV source is removed and replaced or moved from oneUV disinfection device to another. In the illustrated embodiment, the UVsource may include an RFID chip that can is capable of exchangingcommunications with the control system. For example, the control system30 of FIG. 5 includes an RFID reader 26 having a transceiver that iscapable of communicating with the RFID tag 38 on board the UV source 34.The RFID tag 38 on the UV source 34 may have a unique identifier and mayhave resident memory for accumulating lamp “on” time. In operation, thecontrol system 30, for example, controller 36, may have an onboard clockthat tracks the time the UV source 34 is energized and accumulates thattime in the memory location on the RFID tag 38. For example, the controlsystem may operate by retrieving the accumulated run time from the RFIDtag, initiating operation of the UV source, storing the start time ofthe UV source, allowing the UV source to operate for a period of time(e.g. a cycle), turning off the UV source, determining the amount oftime the UV source was on during that cycle, adding the on time for thatcycle to the accumulated run time retrieved from the RFID tag and thenrewriting the new accumulated run time on the RFID tag. Although thismethod works well in many applications, the control system may beconfigured to implement a modified procedure to account for variationsin UV source intensity over time. More specifically, the control systemmay be configured to adjust on time upwardly to compensate for theapplication of additional power to the UV source during UV disinfectioncycles that involve an increase in UV intensity. In one embodiment, thecontrol system may maintain a counter that reflects the amount of timethat the UV source is operated at an elevated intensity. Aftercompletion of each cycle at an elevated intensity, the control systemmay increment the accumulated run time on the RFID chip to adjust forthe elevated intensity. In one embodiment, the control system maymultiply the actual run time for the elevated cycle by a correlationfactor or multiplier that reflects the impact of the elevated intensityon UV source life. The correlation factor may be predetermined by lamplife tests conducted on the UV source at different intensity levels.Alternatively, the correlation multiplier may be an approximation basedon typical UV lamp characteristics. For example, the control system maybe provided with a table of multipliers that provide a conservativeestimate of the impact of different elevated intensity on lamp life. Asanother alternative, the lamp life adjustment may be a linearapproximation that varies in proportion with UV source intensity. Toillustrate, operating the UV source for a cycle at a 50% increase inlamp intensity could result in a 50% increase in the lamp lifeaccumulation for that cycle. Although this example reflects a one-to-onecorrelation between intensity and lamp life consumption, the correlationfactor may vary from application to application based on actual lampcharacteristics.

M. Additional Exemplary UV Disinfection Devices

As noted above, the present invention may provide a UV disinfectionsystem that is integrated into another device to allow UV disinfectionof the outer surfaces of the device using an internal UV source. In thisaspect, the present invention is well-suited for incorporation intodevice that are frequently touched or otherwise subject to frequentbioloading, including input devices, such as mouse, keyboards, touchpanels, etc. FIG. 40 shows an input device having an internal UVdisinfection system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The input device 600 generally includes an enclosure 602, aUV-C source 604, a input device electronics 606, a battery 608, a powermanagement and wireless charging circuit 610, a microprocessorcontroller and communications interface 612, a UV-C driver 614, a BTLEcommunication circuit 616, a BTLE antenna 618, a power or USB circuitry620 and a power or USB cable 622. In this embodiment, the enclosure 602forms the outer surface(s) of the device 600 and is subject to receivetouches and other human interactions. The enclosure 602 of thisembodiment includes at least a portion that is UV-C transmissive so thatinternally generated UV-C energy can be directed to that portion toallow UV disinfection. The enclosure 602 may be manufacture from one ormore components. For example, in one embodiment, the portion(s) of theenclosure 602 that are likely to be touched during operation may bemanufactured from one or more enclosure portions that are manufacturedfrom UV-C transmissive material, while the portions that are unlikely tobe touched may be manufactured from materials that are not UV-Ctransmissive. In some applications, the UV-C transmissive material maybe disposed over a UV-C reflective substrate. The substrate may providethe UV-C transmissive material with structural support and itsreflective properties may help to direct UV-C energy onto the outertouch surface(s) of the UV-C transmission enclosure portions. In thisembodiment, the UV-C source 604 is illustrated as a single sourceextending around the perimeter of the enclosure 602. It should beunderstood that the UV-C source 604 may be essentially any type and anynumber of UV-C sources. For example, the UV-C source 604 may be one ormore gas discharge bulbs and/or one or more UV-C LEDs. Further, the UV-Csource 604 need not extend around the perimeter of the enclosure 602,but may be of any configuration that allows the desired level of UVdisinfection by virtue of proximity and/or the transmission of lightthrough the UV-C transmissive material. For example, in the context of amouse, the UV-C source may be a pair of L-shaped UV-C light bulbs thatare arranged in a rectangle about the perimeter of the mouse enclosure.The input device electronics 606 may be essentially any suitableelectronics for the corresponding type of input device now known orlater developed. For example, in the context of an optical mouse, theinput device electronics 606 may include a PS/2 mouse controller, aplurality of mouse button switches, and an optical mouse sensor (notshown). In this embodiment, the input device 600 is a wirelesselectronic device. In this context, the device 60 includes a battery 608(or any other suitable electrical energy storage device, such as a highcapacity capacitor) for storing electrical energy. The power managementand wireless charging circuit 610 is configured to wirelessly receivepower from a remote wireless power supply and to control the supply ofpower to the various power consuming components within the device 600.The wireless charging circuit may include an inductive secondary coil611 that receives power from an inductive wireless power supply, such asa Qi compliant wireless charger, or essentially any other type ofwireless power supply capable of delivering adequate power to the inputdevice 600. The device 600 need not, however, incorporate a wirelesspower supply and may alternatively be powered using a wired connectionor a replaceable battery. The microprocessor controller andcommunications interface 612 may control operation of the UVdisinfection system. For example, it may operate the UV-C source 604 toimplement UV disinfection cycles. It may also communicate with one ormore sensors capable of sensing when a touch event has occurred. Thesensors (not shown) may include any sensor or plurality of sensorscapable of determining when touch interactions have occurred. This mayinclude motion sensors, capacitive sensors and/or inductive sensors. Themicroprocessor controller and communications interface 612 may alsocommunicate with the UV disinfection network. For example, it maycommunicate with a disinfection network hub of the type describedelsewhere in this disclosure. Among other things, this allows the UVdisinfection system to report relevant data to the UV disinfectionnetwork and to receive operation and control commands from the UVdisinfection network. In this embodiment, the device 600 also includes aUV-C driver 614 that is capable of energizing and operating the UV-Csource(s) 604. The UV-C driver 614 of this embodiment is controlled bythe microprocessor controller and communications interface 612 and maybe essentially any driver circuit capable of properly supplying power tothe UV-C source(s) 604. In this embodiment, the UV disinfection systemis configured to communication with the UV disinfection network usingconventional Blue Tooth Low Energy (“BTLE”) communications. The BTLEcircuit 616 of this embodiment includes a BTLE transceiver that iscoupled to BTLE antenna 618. The present invention may be implementedwith additional or alternative communication systems that operate usingadditional or alternative communications protocols. In the embodiment ofFIG. 43, the device 600 includes power or USB circuitry 620 configuredto receive power using a power cable or a USB cable 622. The power orUSB circuitry 620 may be essentially any circuitry capable of supplyingpower to the device 600 or the microprocessor controller andcommunications interface 612 from a power cord or USB cord 622. Thepower or USB circuitry 620 may also allow communications between themicroprocessor controller and communications interface 612, for example,via a conventional USB cable 622.

The present invention may also be implemented as a stand-alone UVdisinfection device that is capable of energizing an external UV-Csource intended to provide UV disinfection to separate touch surfaces.It is important to note that the input devices can include capacitiveand thermal sensing to help in assisting the control of the UV-C source.FIG. 41 is a schematic representation of a stand-alone device 700 withone or more external UV-C source(s) 702. The UV disinfection device 700generally includes a UV-C source 702, a battery 704, a power managementand wireless charging circuit 706, a microprocessor controller andcommunications interface 708, a UV-C driver 710, a BTLE communicationcircuit 712, a BTLE antenna 714, a power or USB circuitry 716 and apower or USB cable 718. In this embodiment, the UV-C source 702 isillustrated as a single source, but it should be understood that theUV-C source 702 may be essentially any type and any number of UV-Csources. For example, the UV-C source 702 may be one or more UV-C gasdischarge bulbs and/or one or more UV-C LEDs. In this embodiment, the UVdisinfection device 700 includes a battery 704 (or any other suitableelectrical energy storage device, such as a high capacity capacitor) forstoring electrical energy. The power management and wireless chargingcircuit 706 is configured to wirelessly receive power from a remotewireless power supply (not shown) and to control the supply of power tothe various power-consuming components within the device 700. As notedabove in connection with device 600, the wireless charging circuit 706of this embodiment may include an inductive secondary coil 707 thatreceives power from an inductive wireless power supply, such as a Qicompliant wireless charger, or essentially any other type of wirelesspower supply capable of delivering adequate power to the UV disinfectiondevice 700. The UV disinfection device 700 need not, however,incorporate a wireless power supply and may alternatively be poweredusing a wired connection or a replaceable battery. The microprocessorcontroller and communications interface 708 may control operation of theUV disinfection system. For example, it may operate the UV-C source(s)702 to implement UV disinfection cycles. It may also communicate withone or more sensors capable of sensing when a touch event has occurredwith respect to the touch surface being treated. The sensors (not shown)may include any sensor or plurality of sensors capable of determiningwhen touch interactions have occurred. This may include motion sensors,capacitive sensors and/or inductive sensors. The microprocessorcontroller and communications interface 706 may also communicate withthe UV disinfection network. For example, it may communicate with adisinfection network hub. Among other things, this allows the UVdisinfection system to report relevant data to the UV disinfectionnetwork and to receive operation and control commands from the UVdisinfection network. In this embodiment, the UV disinfection device 700also includes a UV-C driver 710 that is controlled by the microprocessorcontroller and communications interface 708 and is capable of energizingand operating the UV-C source(s) 702. The UV-C driver 710 of thisembodiment is may be essentially any driver circuit capable of properlysupplying power to the UV-C source(s) 702. In this embodiment, the UVdisinfection device 700 is configured to communication with the UVdisinfection network using conventional Blue Tooth Low Energy (“BTLE”)communications. The BTLE circuit 712 of this embodiment includes a BTLEtransceiver that is coupled to BTLE antenna 714. The present inventionmay be implemented with additional or alternative communication systemsthat operate using additional or alternative communications protocols.The UV disinfection device 700 of this embodiment includes power or USBcircuitry 716 configured to receive power using a power cable or a USBcable 718. The power or USB circuitry 716 may also allow communicationsbetween the microprocessor controller and communications interface 708,for example, via a conventional USB cable 718.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention.Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from thespirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles ofpatent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure ispresented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as anexhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limitthe scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated ordescribed in connection with these embodiments. For example, and withoutlimitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may bereplaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similarfunctionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes,for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those thatmight be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternativeelements that may be developed in the future, such as those that oneskilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative.Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features thatare described in concert and that might cooperatively provide acollection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to onlythose embodiments that include all of these features or that provide allof the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly setforth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in thesingular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” isnot to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a UV disinfectionsystem to disinfect a touch surface, comprising the steps of: providinga UV disinfection system with a UV source driver configured to driveoperation of a UV source at a plurality of different UV outputintensities; operating the UV source for a first cycle at a first sourceintensity for a first duration; interrupting operation of the UV sourceduring the first cycle in response to a touch sensed on the touchsurface; tracking at least one of a frequency of interruptions, a numberof interruptions and a number of touches; and in response to the atleast one of the frequency of interruptions, the number of interruptionsand the number of touches, operating the UV source for a second cycle ata second source intensity greater than the first source intensity. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein a first UV output intensity is aneffective irradiance of no greater than 0.008 watts per meter squared.3. The method of claim 2 wherein a second UV output intensity is aneffective irradiance of at least 0.016 watts per meter squared.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein a first UV output intensity is an effectiveirradiance of no greater than 0.005 watts per meter squared.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein a second UV output intensity is an effectiveirradiance of at least 0.010 watts per meter squared.
 6. A method ofoperating a UV disinfection system to disinfect a touch surface,comprising the steps of: providing a UV disinfection system with a UVsource driver configured to drive operation of a UV source at aplurality of different UV output intensities; operating a UV source fora first cycle at a first source intensity for a first duration;interrupting operation of the UV source during the first cycle inresponse to a touch sensed on the touch surface; tracking at least oneof a frequency of interruptions, a number of interruptions and a numberof touches; and in response to the at least one of the frequency ofinterruptions, the number of interruptions and the number of touches,operating the UV source for a second cycle at a second source intensityfor a second duration, wherein at least one of the second sourceintensity is greater than the first source intensity and the secondduration is greater than the first duration.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein a first UV output intensity is an effective irradiance of nogreater than 0.008 watts per meter squared.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein a second UV output intensity is an effective irradiance of atleast 0.016 watts per meter squared.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein afirst UV output intensity is an effective irradiance of no greater than0.005 watts per meter squared.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein asecond UV output intensity is an effective irradiance of at least 0.010watts per meter squared.